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CHARLOTTE, NC -The Queen City is buzzing like it’s 1988 all over again. The classic teal and purple was all over Uptown Charlotte for Buzz Fest – Β a two-day pep rally leading up to the season opener.
“The Hornets sting everybody,β said Mylindra Diggs, a Matthews Resident.
The name is contagious. It energizes a fan base both young and old.Β
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This weekend, original players like Dell Curry and Sleepy Floyd joined fans for a pep rally at the Charlotte Convention Center.Β
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“They are emotionally invested in the Hornets name and what it stands for. The success over the years, leading the league in attendance for so many years,” said Floyd.
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“It’s deeply rooted, the name is deeply rooted in this community. It means a lot and you get a lot of young and old fans back just because of the name,” said Curry.
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When Michael Jordan announced the name change last year, he said it was time for the city to get excited about basketball again. The fans answered the call.
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The Hornets are now second in the NBA this season for new ticket sales with more than 10 thousand sold.
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The team has added 30 new corporate sponsors including McDonalds, Geico and Mercedes Benz.
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Sales at the team store are up 77 percent since the name switch and followers across all the team’s social media platforms has grown 400 percent.
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As for bringing business to Charlotte, Robert Krumbine with Charlotte Center City Partners says the name itself is a money maker.
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“It tells a story and when we’re trying to bring people in to either fill our empty office space or consider bringing a headquarters to Charlotte… all of this is a part of that picture,β said Krumbine.
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Many fans are hoping to find the franchise’s future in its past. The original Hornets made six playoff appearances during the team’s time in Charlotte between 1988 and 2002.
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