Benson changes Hornets’ name

Ever heard the story of the caterpillar that transformed into a beautiful butterfly?

In the NBA, a similar transformation is taking place.

The hornet is evolving into a full-grown Louisiana brown pelican.

The New Orleans Hornets announced this week that they will officially change their name to the Pelicans beginning in the 2013-14 season.

Team owner Tom Benson was joined by coach Monty Williams and several players in what was described as a “historic day” in the history of the local basketball franchise.

“You just can’t have a better name for Louisiana and New Orleans than the Pelicans,” Benson said during a video shown to present the name. “It’s just a perfect representation of our state.”

Louisiana history is a large reason for the name change.

Since taking over the NBA franchise last year, Benson said he wanted to do a drastic rebranding of the organization to allow it to truly feel like “Louisiana’s basketball team.”

After the Benson family narrowed a list of names down to a handful of finalists, the Pelican emerged from the bunch because the Louisiana state bird “aligns with the franchise’s core values.”

In an approximately 10-minute video presentation, team officials said the bird was championed because it marks perseverance – something Louisiana has had to showcase through hurricanes and the oil spill.

“Going forward, the Pelican brand will be the cornerstone of our community efforts, which will primarily focus on two things that we believe are fundamental challenges to the region,” Hornets President Dennis Lauscha said. “The first is the health and fitness of our children. The second is the health and preservation of our coastal wetlands.”

Benson agreed and added the name change marks a landmark in keeping the team in Louisiana now and into the future.

“This is a great day for all of us,” Benson said. “We gave a lot of thought and a lot of work into what this would mean. We know that the New Orleans Saints mean a great deal to this community – that name is known throughout the world.

“Now, with the New Orleans Pelicans, we’re going to get this name known throughout the world, too.”

That transformation into a more recognized brand is something that those involved with the team are very excited about.

Williams said he supports the name change because the bird’s resiliency aligns with the way he wants the team to play now and into the future.

“The bird provides so many attributes that we want to represent and that New Orleans represents,” Williams said. “The resiliency, the charity and just everything else. With that in mind, I’m down with this name for sure. I’ve always said that I’m more concerned with the name on the front of the jersey compared to the name on the back. Now, knowing this history involved and what this name change will do for the city and this region, I’m all in.”

Hornets forward Ryan Anderson agreed with his coach’s statements and said the move represents something bigger than any one player.

“It definitely feels like a fresh start,” Anderson said. “I feel like the whole organization is thinking of it like that. There’s so much that’s going into this change. It’s not just a name change or a logo change, but there’s so much renovation going into this team.”

In addition to swapping names, the Pelicans will also have new colors.

The NBA franchise will trade in its turquoise and purple look for a new blue, gold and red color scheme.

The team’s primary logo will feature the words New Orleans over the top of a pelican with its wings outstretched. Under the pelican’s beak is a golden basketball and the word “Pelicans”.

Alternative logos were also unveiled, including the “Bird-de-lis” and a circular logo with the words “Crescent City Basketball” surrounding a basketball.

“It’s a great day,” Benson said. “There’s no other way to put it.”

Pelicans