Michael Jordan Creates Buzz With New Charlotte Hornets Logo

Michael Jordan, owner of the Charlotte Bobcats NBA franchise, unveiled a bold new logo for the team Saturday night. The Bobcats are slated to return to the old Hornets moniker in the 2014-15 NBA season.

The team’s name isn’t the only bit of old school Michael Jordan, and the rest of the Charlotte brass are bringing back: the team’s former purple and teal color scheme is set to return as is fan favorite mascot, Hugo.

“You guys asked and we delivered,” Jordan said at the unveiling ceremony during halftime of Charlotte’s 88-85 loss to the Utah Jazz.

According to the official press release, the new streamlined Hornets logo sought to offer characteristics of real hornets, including “their swarming and attacking nature, along with their fierceness and relentlessness when protecting their nests.”

“The entire brand identity – logos and wordmark – was designed in collaboration with senior executives within the Bobcats organization; Jordan Brand, a division of Nike; and the NBA’s Global Merchandising Group. Both Jordan Brand and Nike have a long history of working with professional teams and universities in developing brand identities and utilize some of the world’s most highly recognized designers.”

I guess it doesn’t hurt for Michael Jordan’s own Air Jordan Nike line to work on his team’s conceptualization and merchandising. Keep it in-house, Michael.

For the unveiling event, Michael Jordan and company didn’t just go old school in name and color: the event featured former Hornets greats and fan favorites Muggsy Bogues, Rex Chapman, Dell Curry, and Kelly Tripucka. In designing the logos, all of which can be seen at backbuzzcity.com, the Hornets/Bobcats execs were looking for a new twist on an old favorite.

“We recognize the heritage behind the original logo and our goal was to connect to the past but also include elements of an evolution,” COO Fred Whitfield said. “With that in mind, we are thrilled to be able to bring Hugo back as our mascot. We realize all he meant to the city and our fans and we’re excited to re-introduce him this offseason.”

What do you think of Michael Jordan’s handling of the new logo? How has Michael fared as an NBA owner? Should Michael Jordan be more concerned with personnel than paraphernalia?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MP2Gq34f6zU