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The New Orleans Hornets announced today that Pepsi and evamor have signed on as corporate partners. With the addition of the two beverage partners, the Hornets and the New Orleans Arena will have the opportunity to enhance the fan experience with new products, as well as lower price points for concessions. “Since purchasing the Hornets, we have engaged our fans in several discussions to understand the modifications we can make to improve and enhance their game experience. Based on feedback we’ve received, variety, selection and pricing in regards to concessions were at the top of their list,” said Hornets Owner Tom Benson. “We have listened to their feedback and, in cooperation with SMG and Centerplate, feel we have taken great steps towards meeting those needs with our new partnerships with Pepsi and evamor.” NBA.com

New Orleans Hornets, Tom Benson 

The New Orleans Hornets announced Monday they have surpassed an average of 12,000 tickets sold per game this upcoming season, which includes partial and full-season season ticket packages, group sales and suites sold at the New Orleans Arena, according to team spokesman Harold Kaufman. Under new owner Tom Benson, the Hornets have made a push this offseason to either match or exceed last season's 10,000 season ticket total. The Hornets are expected to be one of the young emerging teams to watch because of No. 1 draft pick Anthony Davis and rookie guard Austin Rivers. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Tom Benson 

And the Hornets? "Last season Hornets season ticket sales came to 10,000, '' said Benson. "Our goal for the 2012-13 season: 17,000. Can we do it? Watch.'' Benson is looking at the percentage of Saints season-ticket holders who also hold Hornets' season tickets to increase, and play a role in the round-ball push. Despite the offseason negatives involving the bounty penalties, Benson pointed to the Saints' signing a few of the leading free agents on the market. "As for Benson Tower, '' he said, "it filled up so quickly, we added 32,000 square feet of space to meet the demand.'' New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Tom Benson 

Gordon has had several conversations with Hornets coach Monty Williams, but was disappointed about not hearing anything from general manager Dell Demps, the Hornets' new ownership group led by Tom Benson or any other front-office member. He still has yet to speak to the Hornets' brass. "All I could do was communicate with the coach," Gordon said. "That was the only communication I had. My agent [Robert Pelinka] was the only one communicating with the GM and the other front-office people. That was very different for me to go through." Yahoo! Sports

New Orleans Hornets, Monty Williams, Dell Demps, Eric Gordon, Owners, Tom Benson 

The New Orleans Hornets are exploring plans to possibly build a new practice facility at the New Orleans Saints’ complex. Tom Benson owns both franchises and some of his top team executives now hold dual roles for the Saints and Hornets. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Owners, Tom Benson 

Hornets General Manager Dell Demps said Friday they are looking into plans about a new practice facility and he likes the idea of having it at the Saints' complex in Metairie. ``I think it will be fun like a campus,’’ Demps said. ``You have the Saints on one side and the Hornets on the other. We’re looking into it. Mr. Benson is pulling out all of the stops and we’re happy about it. He’s going to give our team and players every opportunity to develop and compete at the highest level with everything we need.’’ New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Dell Demps, Owners, Tom Benson 

The New Orleans Hornets, who formally came under the domain of owner Tom Benson on Friday, will not retain president Hugh Weber, the man who helped guide the team through 17 months of league ownership and helped steer the franchise toward Benson's purchase and its stability through 2024 with a renegotiated lease agreement. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Hugh Weber, Owners, Tom Benson 

Two days after the NBA Board of Governors approved the sale of the Hornets to Saints owner Tom Benson, and two months after signing a purchase agreement to acquire the team for $338 million, Benson released a statement Friday expressing his elation at the finalization of the transaction, and a hope for the same kind of success his football team has recently enjoyed. “I’m thrilled to have become the owner of the Hornets,” Benson said in a statement released by the club. “There is a lot of excitement in the region about the franchise, especially after winning the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft. We have been successful with the Saints, and I know we can translate that success to our NBA team as well. “We have the best, most dedicated fans in the world and will need them along the way as we work as an organization to make them proud. Championship performance is tied to fan support, and the passion of the New Orleans sports fan is second to none. We look forward to joining up with all of our valued current fans and also introducing this great team game to many more residents of our city.” New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Tom Benson 

Marc J. Spears: Hornets announce sale of franchise to Tom Benson final. Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Owners, Tom Benson 

Two days after the NBA Board of Governors approved the sale of the New Orleans Hornets to Saints owner Tom Benson, Benson released a statement Friday expressing his elation at the finalization of the transaction and a hope for the same kind of success his football team has recently enjoyed. "I'm thrilled to have become the owner of the Hornets," Benson said in a statement released by the club. "There is a lot of excitement in the region about the franchise, especially after winning the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft. We have been successful with the Saints and I know we can translate that success to our NBA team as well. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Owners, Tom Benson 

The NBA Board of Governors on Wednesday approved the sale of the New Orleans Hornets to Tom Benson, the league announced. The sale will be officially closed later this week. The Hornets are expected to make an official announcement concerning Benson's take-over on Thursday. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has signed off on the state's capital outlay bill, which included nearly $60 million for improvements to New Orleans Arena, as well as on the extension of the Quality Jobs Tax Credit, both elements which were critical in the agreement the state had with the Hornets to extend the lease in the Arena through 2024. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Owners, Tom Benson 

According to league sources, the Hornets are not expected to make any decisions regarding trades until after the NBA’s Board of Governors approve the sale of the franchise to Saints owner Tom Benson, which is expected to happen later this month. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Tom Benson 

New Orleans Saints season-ticket holders got a chance on Sunday to select their seats for Hornets’ games at the New Orleans Arena. Although the Hornets did not release the total of how many current Saints’ ticket holders participated, there were a steady flow of fans throughout the two-hour session that was followed by another session that was open to the public. In April, Saints owner Tom Benson agreed to buy the Hornets for $338 million. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, New Orleans Saints, Tom Benson 

Richard J. Paddock, who said he’s been a Saints’ season-ticket holder for 40 years, attended Sunday’s event. ``I’m just happy we have Tom Benson as the owner of the Hornets,’’ said Paddock, a New Orleans native. ``It’s making me reconsider going back to a season-ticket holder again. I sat out last year, and I’ll probably be a full, season-ticket holder again. ``I believe with him (Benson) getting into the picture, he’s done good for New Orleans and for the Hornets, I just think he’s a standup guy.’’ New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Tom Benson 

The NBA Board of Governors is poised to formally approve the sale of the New Orleans Hornets to Tom Benson shortly after the Louisiana legislature ratifies the state's capital outlay bill which is expected to include monies for improvements to New Orleans Arena, a source with knowledge of the league's timetable said Thursday. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Tom Benson 

The source said as soon as the legislature passes the capital outlay bill with inclusion of funds for New Orleans Arena, the league will approve the sale to Benson for the price of $338 million. By law, the legislature must conclude its business for this session by 6 p.m. Monday. The NBA would likely then convene a conference call of its governors, possibly on Tuesday, to approve the Hornets' sale. Jindal's signature is the only requirement necessary to approve the Hornets' new lease with the state. It does not require legislative approval. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Tom Benson 

"It's such a joke that the league made the new owners be at the lottery for the show," one high-ranking team executive told Yahoo! Sports. "The league still owns the Hornets. Ask their front office if new owners can make a trade right now. They can't. This is a joke." Yahoo! Sports

New Orleans Pelicans, Draft, David Stern, Owners, Anthony Davis, Tom Benson 

The reaction of several league executives was part disgust, part resignation on Wednesday night. So many had predicted this happening, so many suspected that somehow, someway, the Hornets would walk away with Davis. Yahoo! Sports

New Orleans Pelicans, Draft, David Stern, Owners, Anthony Davis, Tom Benson 

"I bet I could get my owner to tank if I knew the chance of getting the No. 1 pick was 100 percent," an NBA team president said in an email. Yahoo! Sports

New Orleans Pelicans, Draft, David Stern, Owners, Anthony Davis, Tom Benson 

Jonathan Feigen: By the way, the NBA still owns the Hornets. Sale to Benson will go through, but is not yet official. So who handles trade talks? Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Owners, Tom Benson