New Orleans Hornets Set to Announce Name Change… to the Pelicans!

The New Orleans Hornets plan to announce the official change to their nick-name today to the Pelicans, and unveil their new team colors. The Hornets will not shed their colors and jerseys this season however.  The change will take effect in the 2013-2014 season.  The colors will be blue, gold and red.

The Hornets have been expected to change their identity ever since Tom Benson purchased the team in April.

The Pelican is of course the state bird of Louisiana, and appears on license plates, the state flag, and the state seal.  There was also a minor-league baseball team in New Orleans called the Pelicans from 1887-1959 and 1977.  Benson, reportedly, has always been fond of the team name.

The impending name change has received a lot of criticism.  During today's news conference, a video is expected to be shown explaining the history behind the nick name and what it represents to the state and New Orleans.

The Charlotte Hornets moved to New Orleans  in 2002.  Some fans hope the Charlotte Bobcats change their name back to the Hornets after the change in New Orleans.