News - 05/06/2003

National Basketball Association - Charlotte

Charlotte Expansion Team Announces Top Three Names

MAY 6, 2003 -- The Charlotte NBA expansion franchise has narrowed the choice for the team’s nickname to three finalists – Charlotte Bobcats, Charlotte Dragons and Charlotte Flight. The team’s name and logo will be introduced in June. “These names represent three distinct directions we could take as we move into the final stage of development for our new team’s identity,” said Ed Tapscott, executive vice president and chief operating officer of NBA Charlotte. “Our selection process has relied on input from the Charlotte community and the expertise provided by a very talented team of marketing and branding professionals. In the weeks ahead, we will further develop possible creative directions for each of the three names, while continuing to study public feedback.”

Together with the Charlotte Regional Sports Commission, NBA Charlotte started the process of selecting a team name in January. The new franchise began with a list of approximately 1,250 nicknames that were submitted by the public through the Commission’s “Help Name the Team” effort. Together with the NBA and the nationally-recognized branding and creative agency NVU Productions of Chicago, the new franchise narrowed the field of possible names using research obtained through focus groups of Charlotte-area residents and meetings with community and business leaders. Key areas of consideration in identifying the three finalists included name representation, regional affiliation, existing marketplace brands, logo design possibilities, game presentation extensions, merchandise opportunities and legal considerations.

The Charlotte-area community will have a continued opportunity to play a role in the final naming process. Public feedback is welcome on the three finalist nicknames and can be submitted either online or by regular mail. Fans who wish to comment online should log on to www.nba.com/charlotte. Those wishing to send their comments by mail should address their thoughts to “NBA Charlotte Team Name” 100 Hive Drive, Charlotte, NC, 28217.

NBA Charlotte and the WNBA’s Charlotte Sting are owned by Robert L. Johnson. The NBA officially awarded the two franchises to Mr. Johnson on January 10. The Sting tip-off their seventh season on May 23 against the Washington Mystics at the Charlotte Coliseum. The new NBA team will play its inaugural season in 2004-2005 at the Charlotte Coliseum. The team will then move permanently to Charlotte’s new Uptown arena beginning with the 2005-2006 NBA season.