The New Orleans Hornets Will Reportedly Become the New Orleans Pelicans

No trolling here.

Photo Removed
Complex Original

Blank pixel used during image takedowns

Photo Removed

What's in nickname? Apparently New Orleans Hornets fans are about to find out. According to Yahoo! Sports, the franchise will be ditching their current nickname to become the New Orleans Pelicans and the change can happen as early as next season.  If you're wondering what connection the pelican has to New Orleans, the brown pelican is the official bird of Louisiana.

The Hornets have had their nickname since the franchise was founded in Charlotte back in 1988. New team owner, Tom Benson,—the older man pictured above who also owns the New Orleans Saints—is the man behind the name change. He owns the rights to the Pelicans nickname.

Pelicans. Those pesky birds you see at the beach that attack unsuspecting weathermen on occasion. But an NBA franchise? That'll take some getting used to. Apparently Mr. Benson and Tony Montana are pelican fans and those are the only opinions that matter for now.

RELATED: A History of Athlete Name Changes

[via Yahoo! Sports]

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

Latest in Sports