CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bobcats owner Michael Jordan says he’s changing his team’s name to the Charlotte Hornets.
Jordan said at a Tuesday press conference he has informed the league of his decision and is optimistic the NBA board of governors will approve the name change when they convene in July.
Charlotte will remain the Bobcats next season, but if all goes as planned Jordan anticipates his team will become the Hornets for the start of the 2014-15 season.
Jordan says the team listened to the fans and “the fans wanted the name back.”
NBA deputy commissioner and COO Adam Silver previously said it would take about 18 months for the Bobcats to change their name.
The Hornets resided in Charlotte from 1988-2002 before then-owner George Shinn relocated the team to New Orleans.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.