When Saints owner Tom Benson acquired the professional basketball team in New Orleans, Crescent City basketball fans rejoiced. Mr. Benson is a much beloved man down in New Orleans and his new ownership of the Hornets could only mean that things would finally start to look a bit brighter for a team that has not enjoyed much success in the NBA so far.
One of the first announcements that Benson made after acquiring the team was that he did not like the name Hornets and neither did Mrs. Benson. The Hornets was a nickname that came with the team when it arrived in New Orleans from Charlotte, North Carolina in 2003, but Louisiana sports fans just never took to the name. Nothing about Hornets said “Louisiana”.
Back in January, the Bensons announced that after the conclusion of the 2013 season, their new team would cease being the Hornets and become the Pelicans in honor of the State Bird of Louisiana (check our post about it). The team will participate in its first NBA event as the Pelicans on May 21 at the 2013 NBA Draft Lottery.
The new Pelicans logos are viewable on the team’s webpage and already caps and shirts are on the market. Sales are expected to be brisk as the new logos are generally accepted as “cool”. Back in the old days, there was a New Orleans Pelicans baseball team but it has been gone for years.
Pelicans fans can now keep up with their teams progress on their new website, www.pelicans.com as well as via social media on Twitter (@pelicansnba), on Facebook (Facebook.com/pelocansnba and on Instagram (@pelocansnba).
So, it’s a whole new look for basketball in the “Big Easy”. The old color scheme, which Mrs. Benson especially did not like, will now be an attractive Navy Blue, Red and Gold. The primary color, blue, is borrowed from the Louisiana State flag. Red symbolizes fraternity and recalls the vibrant color beneath the pelican’s throat. The color gold was chosen to tie together the Pelicans and the Saints. Pelicans are commonly seen with gold crowns as well.
“We have been looking forward to this day since we announced the Pelicans as the new name,” said Owner Tom Benson. “The Pelican is a symbol for our city and region and we’re excited to start a new era in Louisiana basketball history. This off-season is going to be a special time for the Pelicans.”
