It was reported last week that the New Orleans Hornets were considering a possible name change, and now it seems they'll be known as the New Orleans Pelicans as early as the 2013-14 season.
The Hornets moved from Charlotte to New Orleans back in 2002, and have considered a name change since New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, who also owns the rights to the Pelicans nickname, bought the team in April.
Benson has long considered a new name to something that is more fitting to the state of Louisiana and feels that the name Pelican suites the idea well.
His wife, Gayle, reiterated that idea and added that the franchise also would like to change the team colors from teal and purple to red, gold and navy blue.
The pelican is Louisiana's state bird and appears on both the state seal and flag. A New Orleans minor league baseball team held the Pelicans nickname in all but nine seasons from 1887-1959, and again in 1977.
With the name change in the works, all that's left now is whether or not the Hornets name will be picked up by another franchise.
Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan said in November he'd be interested in bringing the Hornets' name back to Charlotte and not it seems that now there's a strong possibility that it can happen.
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