Hornets will change name to Pelicans

[Deleterious]

Sources: Hornets changing nickname to Pelicans - Yahoo! Sports

The New Orleans Hornets are expected to change their nickname to the Pelicans as early as the 2013-14 season, numerous sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The Hornets planned to change their nickname since Tom Benson, owner of the New Orleans Saints, purchased the team on April 14. Benson also owns the rights to the nickname Pelicans.

The Hornets also considered the nicknames Krewe (groups of costumed paraders in the annual Mardi Gras carnival in New Orleans) and Brass.

Louisiana is the Pelican State. The brown pelican is the state bird and appears on the state flag and seal, and official state painting. Moreover, the Pelicans played minor league baseball in New Orleans in all but nine seasons from 1887-1959 and in 1977.

Gayle Benson, Benson's wife, told Fox Sports New Orleans recently her preference for new team colors was navy blue, red and gold.

[Chopper]

Ugh! I think they should be called the Jazz and make Utah change its name. The Jazz never made sense for Utah even if they did come from New Orleans.

[Deleterious]

https://twitter.com/kevinhoskins/sta...33212567248896

@HPbasketball If they were gonna go with a bird, why not the New Orleans Sterns?

[Nastradamus]

Awful, just awful. Just doesn't roll off the tongue the way a sports team name should.

[sabretooth]

Actually, I love it...it's probably insulting to the players but Pelicans are awesome creatures.

[Deleterious]

I generally hate all new names. I laughed when OKC chose the Thunder. Now I can't imagine them being called anything else.

[Deleterious]

I am disappointed this ruins my current favorite ESPN commercial.