HORNETS DISPLAY REBIRTH

http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/Hornets_Display_Rebirth_with_U-280578-2057.html

HORNETS DISPLAY REBIRTH WITH UPDATED LOGOS AND UNIFORMS
New Designs Inspired by New Orleans Culture
August 20, 2008

To proudly showcase the images of New Orleans’ passion, heritage and future, the Hornets unveiled updated logo modifications and new team uniforms today. The new designs were created in collaboration with the Hornets, the NBA and adidas, and are inspired by the emblems, colors and textures that New Orleanians and people around the world associate with the city of New Orleans.

“We are extremely proud to be the New Orleans Hornets, and our new logos and uniforms pay tribute to the past, present and future of this great city,” said Executive Officer of the Board Chad Shinn. “These exciting new designs represent our commitment to championship performance on and off the court as we look ahead to a successful future in New Orleans.”

The Hornets primary logo has been enhanced with the team’s new colors: Creole blue, a deeper, more passionate purple and Mardi Gras gold. In addition, the arms on the primary logo have been better proportioned, the ball channels have been made more accurate and “NOLA” now appears across the chest. The wordmark “New Orleans Hornets” includes more stylization linked to the wrought iron of New Orleans architecture.

The “Fleur-de-bee”, which was introduced as a patch on the team’s uniforms last season, will continue this season as the Hornets secondary logo but will be used as a major element of the Hornets brand identity. The “Fleur-de-bee” is based on the fleur-de-lis, or “flower of life”, which is an enduring image of the region’s cultural identity and is recognized worldwide as a symbol of New Orleans’ resiliency and rebirth.

A third logo has also been introduced and depicts the familiar NOLA abbreviation with a basketball and trumpet, capturing the essence of the city, its history of music and the team, and creates one cohesive mark.

The Hornets uniforms maintain consistency with the logo identity, using the same logos, fonts and colors. “New Orleans” will still be featured on the front of the home and away jerseys, making the Hornets one of only two NBA teams to wear their city’s name on the front of both jerseys. The “Fleur-de-bee” is featured on the side of the shorts and on the center back of the neck of the jersey. The NOLA horn is placed on the back of the shorts. The home (white) and road (Creole blue) uniforms also feature pinstripes, which provide a bit of jazz flair as well as pay tribute to the 20 years the Hornets franchise has been in existence. In addition, the team’s second road uniform has been retired.

The entire launch event was featured on Hornets.com in a live stream. New merchandise featuring the new colors and logos will be available immediately at the Hornets Nest team store as well as online at NBAStore.com.