Longtime Hornets President Stepping Down

After 17 years, Hornets President and Vice Chairman Fred Whitfield is stepping down.

Since 2006, Fred Whitfield has served as the Charlotte Hornets' President and Vice Chairman. On Wednesday afternoon, he announced he would officially be stepping down from his position. 

Citing a need to focus on his personal health as well as his family, Whitfield made the decision to step away from his duties with the team. He has reportedly been dealing with throat cancer for the last year and a half. 

In his time with the organization, Whitfield helped orchestrate the formation of the G League team in Greensboro, the name change from Bobcats to Hornets in 2014, and helped bring the NBA All-Star Game to Charlotte in 2019. 

#Hornets President & Vice Chairman Fred Whitfield is stepping down after 17 years, the team announced.

— Schuyler Callihan (@Callihan_) December 6, 2023

Given all that he is dealing with in his personal life, Whitfield no longer feels he is able to adequately do his job, which led to his decision to ultimately step down. He thanked NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in a statement, and stated he would be rooting for the success of the team from the sidelines. 

“For the past 17 and a half years I have had the privilege of representing the Charlotte Hornets as president and vice chairman, and ultimately minority owner. But the time has come for me to step away and focus on my health and my family.

"Over the last 18 months I have successfully battled a serious case of throat cancer. I’ve also been focused on supporting my mother, who has her own health issues. As these priorities have occupied more of my time and energy, I realized that now is the right time to leave my role with the Hornets, who are on a tremendous path to success with the energy and ideas brought by our new owners, Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin. I’m grateful to them for their support during this challenging time, and I also want to thank the prior ownership groups under the leadership of Bob Johnson and Michael Jordan for giving me such a tremendous opportunity.

"I’d also like to thank NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and his predecessor, the late David Stern, for their unwavering support of our organization and me personally. During my tenure with the Hornets, we always focused on meeting the needs of all the communities we serve – the NBA, the players, coaches and staff, the fans and the rest of the Charlotte region. I know that focus will continue, and I look forward to being involved in a variety of efforts to improve the Charlotte community while cheering on the Hornets from the stands.”

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