Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets are an NBA basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, playing at Spectrum Center.
Contents11 sections
Key facts
1988Charlotte joins the NBA
The Hornets entered the NBA in 1988. They led the league in attendance in their inaugural season and for seven consecutive seasons from 1990–91 through 1996–97.[1]
1992–1993Mourning and the first playoffs
Charlotte selected Alonzo Mourning second overall in 1992. He made the All-Rookie First Team and broke the franchise’s single-season blocks record.[2]
In 1992–93, Charlotte went 44–38 and reached the playoffs for the first time.[3]
2002–2004Relocation and the Bobcats expansion
The original Hornets moved to New Orleans in 2002. Charlotte received a new expansion team, the Charlotte Bobcats, in 2004.[1]
October 21, 2005The present arena opens
The venue now known as Spectrum Center opened as Charlotte Bobcats Arena on October 21, 2005, with a Rolling Stones concert. It is in Uptown Charlotte.[4]
March 17, 2010Michael Jordan acquires control
The NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved Michael Jordan’s purchase of a controlling interest in the Bobcats. The league’s announcement that day confirmed that the transaction had closed, making Jordan the majority owner.[5]
The Bobcats went 44–38 in 2009–10, then fell to 7–59 in 2011–12.[3]
May 20, 2014The Hornets name returns
After New Orleans became the Pelicans, Charlotte restored the Hornets name in 2014, also reclaiming the original Charlotte Hornets’ history and statistical records.[1]
The Hornets finished 48–34 in 2015–16 and went 3–4 in the playoffs.[3]
August 3, 2023Majority ownership changes
A group led by Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin purchased majority ownership from Jordan, who retained a minority stake. Schnall and Plotkin serve as co-chairmen.[3]
October 2025Arena renovations completed
Spectrum Center reopened in October 2025 after a two-part renovation. The work replaced seating throughout the arena and updated food-and-beverage facilities and the Belk Concourse before the Hornets’ 2025–26 home opener.[4]
2026LaMelo Ball trade
Charlotte traded LaMelo Ball to Minnesota in 2026.[6]
Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts
Charlotte Hornets: Official website: https://www.nba.com/hornets/ (opens in a new window).[7]
Charlotte Hornets: X: https://x.com/hornets (opens in a new window).[8]
Charlotte Hornets: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hornets/ (opens in a new window).[7]
Charlotte Hornets: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hornets (opens in a new window).[7]
Charlotte Hornets: YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is Google’s video-sharing and creator platform, founded in 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim and acquired by Google in 2006. Built around video uploading, viewing, and creator earnings, the platform has developed Shorts, YouTube Music, Premium, YouTube TV, and products for children, and is headquartered in San Bruno, California, United States.Open the full entry: https://www.youtube.com/@hornets (opens in a new window).[9]
Sources
- Charlotte Hornets — 30th Anniversary Season (opens in a new window)
- Alonzo Mourning (opens in a new window)
- Charlotte Hornets 2025–26 Media Guide (opens in a new window)
- Spectrum Center Celebrates 20 Years Of Iconic Moments With Grand Reopening (opens in a new window)
- NBA Board of Governors approves sale of Bobcats to Michael Jordan (opens in a new window)
- LaMelo Ball traded to Timberwolves (opens in a new window)
- Charlotte Hornets Official Website (opens in a new window)
- Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) / X (opens in a new window)
- Charlotte Hornets — YouTube (opens in a new window)