Rick Bonnell, a sportswriter who covered the Charlotte Hornets for the newspaper, Charlotte Observer since the team’s inaugural season back in 1988, has passed away. He was 63 years old.
Bonnell’s excellence covered the versions of Hornets (or Bobcats) that excited Buzz City with their upset of the Boston Celtics in 1993 to the historically bad Bobcats team that went 7-59 in 2011-12.
When the original Hornets moved to New Orleans in 2002, Mr. Bonnell covered college basketball, the Carolina Panthers, tennis and other sports before the NBA gave the city of Charlotte their second expansion team in 2004.
Mr. Bonnell was a sports writing institution. The respect he had throughout the sports media was massive and almost impossible to describe.
The Hornets franchise sent out numerous statements, including from Michael Jordan himself. Bonnell was one of the few media people he fully trusted.
“I’m very sad to learn about Rick’s passing,” Jordan said in a statement. “Rick was a staple at Hornets games, dating back to my playing days at the old Charlotte Coliseum. He prided himself on being fair and honest in his reporting, and I truly respected that about him. Rick became the source for Hornets news in Charlotte, which speaks to his talent and professionalism. The Hornets’ family will miss Rick’s friendly face at our games. I send my condolences to his family and friends.”
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Hornets long-time beat writer Rick Bonnell. Our Chairman and players share their thoughts and memories of the Charlotte legend. 💜
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) June 2, 2021
The Inside the NBA crew led by Ernie Johnson said some beautiful words about Rick Bonnell as well.
The Inside the NBA crew reacts to the passing of long-time Hornets beat writer Rick Bonnell.
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 3, 2021
Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/n0PZSV0VY1
