New Hornets' Ownership Talks Future Facility Plans

Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall discuss Facility Plans in future.

A new era of Charlotte Hornets basketball is upon us with the finalization of Michael Jordan's sale of the team. With Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall as the new majority owners, there are undoubtedly new opportunities and visions for the franchise. Thursday afternoon, they each answered questions during their introductory press conference and one question in particular brought up an intriguing response regarding both the Spectrum Center and a new practice facility.

Spectrum Center

Let's start with the Spectrum Center, the home arena of the Hornets. As always, when new ownership comes in, there is always the thought of how they presently view the facility and the sight of the future. Well, Rick Schnall was quoted as saying the following below.

"This facility is going to be dramatically different two years from now, three years from now. It will feel different. It will be a great experience for fans. We'll have many new areas and exciting places for people to go and it'll have a North Carolina feel. That is underway. That is agreed to. The city has agreed to put the capital in and the project is well underway. It will start in earnest this summer in the back of the house, but next summer we'll start to see some major changes."

It's clear that the renovations the arena will be undergoing are centered more around improving the overall fan experience. Considering the building is nearly 18 years old and they intend to be there through 2045, upgrades are needed.

Not building a completely new stadium from scratch is a plus as it will save taxpayers in North Carolina a significant amount of money. Many Charlotteans preferred renovations over constructing a brand new stadium.

Practice Facility

No matter what sports are played, there is a need for teams to have a facility to practice in. Some teams spend a lot of money on them, while others go the cheap route. So, with new ownership, a question was brought up regarding the possibility of a new practice facility for the Charlotte Hornets.

Here's what Plotkin had to say:

"We've had conversations about the practice facility and we're still learning and those are ongoing conversations. I don't think anything has been decided, but I think ultimately will lead to a practice facility which most NBA teams have and we think will be really beneficial to our player experience"

This is something important, as great facilities can indeed have a significant impact on attracting players to join certain organizations. While we often see the influence of top-notch facilities in college sports when recruiting players, it is no less crucial in professional sports. 

Positive reviews about practice facilities can be a compelling factor for players when deciding which team to join. A well-equipped and modern practice facility can enhance player development, recovery, and overall performance, making it an attractive feature for free agents.

Overall, the changes planned for the Charlotte Hornets' facilities are likely to be noticed and appreciated by both players and fans. It will be exciting to witness the full implementation of these changes at the Spectrum Center and their practice facility. Upgraded facilities can elevate the overall experience for players and fans, and it reflects the organization's commitment to providing a top-notch environment for its players and staff.

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