Charlotte Hornets unveil new jerseys

The Charlotte Hornets unveiled their new jersey designs for the 2014-15 season on Thursday. The new uniforms incorporate the popular teal and purple color

The Charlotte Hornets unveiled three new jersey designs for the 2014-15 season / Hornets.com

The Charlotte Hornets unveiled their new jersey designs for the 2014-15 season on Thursday. The new uniforms incorporate the popular teal and purple color scheme that was synonymous with the original Hornets, who played in Charlotte from 1988 to 2002. Charlotte's new home jersey is white with "HORNETS" in teal across the chest, teal trim and purple numbers. 

The Charlotte Hornets’ new purple road jerseys / Hornets.com

"CHARLOTTE" lettering, purple numbers and purple trim.

The Charlotte Hornets’ new white home jerseys / Hornets.com

The Hornets' new alternates are teal with white lettering and purple numbers

The Charlotte Hornets’ new teal alternate jerseys / Hornets.com

The jersey change occurred in conjunction with the organization's re-branding from the "Bobcats" to the "Hornets" following the end of the 2013-14 season. The Bobcats had cycled through multiple uniforms since entering the NBA as an expansion franchise in 2004, starting with an orange/red color scheme and moving to a predominantly navy blue look. Bobcats owner Michael Jordan first announced in May 2013 that the Bobcats would re-brand as the Hornets, shortly after the New Orleans Hornets relinquished the nickname by becoming the “Pelicans” for the 2013-14 season. The original Hornets joined the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1988 and spent 14 seasons in Charlotte before being moved to New Orleans by former owner George Shinn in 2002. Shinn opted to keep the nickname but eventually sold the franchise to the NBA in 2010. In April 2012, the league sold the franchise to Tom Benson, who sought the Pelicans name change to better reflect the team’s home. The Bobcats joined the NBA as an expansion franchise in 2004 and used the name for 10 seasons. Jordan purchased a majority stake in the Bobcats in 2010. While Bobcats are indigenous to the Carolinas, the Charlotte Observer noted in December 2012 that the “Charlotte Hornets” moniker drew its inspiration from the 1700s.

The Hornets nickname in Charlotte dates back to the Revolutionary War, when British General Charles Cornwallis compared the resistance in Charlotte to a hornet’s nest. It has been used in sports by a minor league baseball team (1901-73), an upstart football league team (1974-75) and the city’s first NBA franchise.

Charlotte announced in November 2013 that the new Hornets would take on the teal and purple scheme. The planned re-brand was met with wide approval by the organization's fans. An unveiling of the logo followed in December, and the organization unveiled their logo shirts, hats and gear. The Hornets unveiled their new website and announced that the organization had reclaimed the history of the original Hornets back in May.