Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Southeast Division within the Eastern Conference. They play their home games at the Spectrum Center, an arena that opened in 2005 and holds 19,103 spectators. The franchise operates under a unique ownership structure where majority owners Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall lead the organization while Michael Jordan retains a minority stake after selling his controlling interest in 2023.

Team colors include Teal, Dark Purple, White, and Light Blue. The roster faces significant challenges heading into the 2026–27 season following an injury-heavy preseason opener against the Brooklyn Nets on October 6, 2026. Key players Brandon Miller and Coby White missed the game due to shin and calf injuries respectively, contributing to a 124–90 loss. [edit]

The franchise traces its roots to 1988 when it entered the league as an expansion team owned by George Shinn. Early rosters featured stars like Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning, Muggsy Bogues, and Glen Rice. This original iteration reached the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 1993, 1998, and 2001 before relocating to New Orleans in 2002 due to arena disputes and declining attendance figures.

NBA officials awarded Charlotte a new expansion franchise in 2004 named the Bobcats, initially owned by Robert L. Johnson. Michael Jordan became a part-owner in 2006 and assumed majority control in 2010. The team officially rebranded as the Charlotte Hornets in 2013, reclaiming the original name and color scheme. Since the rebranding, the squad has qualified for the playoffs in 2014, 2016, and 2021 but failed to advance past the first round in any of those years.

Recent seasons have shown fluctuating performance with a 21–61 record in 2023–24 followed by a 28–54 finish in 2024–25 under head coach Charles Lee. The organization continues to build around young talent despite recent setbacks involving key player injuries during the 2026 preseason. [edit]