New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson is set to take over ownership of the New Orleans Hornets, a nickname that came with the team when it moved from Charlotte and said that he would like to pursue getting the Jazz name back in New Orleans.
“We need to find a name like (Jazz),” Benson said, referring to New Orleans first NBA team that relocated to Salt Lake City in 1979. “Whether we can get that or let us use that, you’ve got to know we’re working on it. We’d like to change it tomorrow. We have not gotten that approved, but we’re not letting up on it, either. Because we’ve got a good relationship with the commissioner and his people and we’re going to be on them daily to do something.”
"I'm going to ask all of you to help me with this, too," Benson said. "We want to change the name from Hornets . . . . to something that means New Orleans and Louisiana. The 'Hornets' doesn't mean anything.' "
Stern squashed the whole idea today at a press conference for the 2014 NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans.
“It belongs to Utah,” Stern said. “I wouldn’t make it such an important point. There are many things that are indigenous to the area. I’m sure there will be some wonderful nicknames (suggestions).”
The ideal thing would be for the two teams to swap nicknames, since Utah is the Beehive State and New Orleans is closely associated with jazz music. It sounds logical but it won't happen so be prepared to hear about the nickname contest after Benson gets approved as owner.
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