New Orleans Hornets Announce Name Change to Pelicans (PHOTO)

As expected, the New Orleans Hornets officially unveiled their new branding today. Above is the logo that they’ll splash across their uniforms and merchandising staring next season. Per the Times-Picayune: “The NBA’s Board of Governors already has approved the name change. And the Pelicans’ team colors will be blue, red and gold. ‘This isn’t something that was just done overnight,’ team owner Tom Benson said. ‘This is a long process. We are not just changing the name to change the name. The Hornets name came from Charlotte. That fits in with Charlotte. It doesn’t fit into New Orleans, La., or our area here. The Hornets don’t mean anything here. We needed something that symbolizes New Orleans and Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. And nothing does that better than this name.’ Hornet officials said the name change was made after scouring more than 100 possible names in a search for the perfect fit. They settled on the Pelicans because it’s the state bird and because the team officials said Pelicans represent some of their biggest community efforts. They also said the brown pelican, which was once on the endangered species list but has battled its way off, symbolizes the Gulf Coast region, which has fought its way back after Hurricane Katrina endangered this region. Ben Hales, the Hornets’ vice president of marketing, said the team’s cornerstone community platforms will focus on two initiatives that are critical to the Gulf South region: children’s health and sustainability of the coastal wetlands. Hornets officials also said the pelican is one of the most visible symbols in the state, as it’s on license plates, the state flag and the state seal. The Pelicans also were a minor league baseball team in New Orleans from 1887 to 1959 and again in 1977.”