Effect of Hurricane Katrina on the New Orleans Hornets
Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans on the 29th of August 2005. The storm caused extensive damage to the New Orleans Arena where the team planned to play home games for the 2005, 06 season. Although the building itself suffered only slight structural damage, flooding surrounding the area made it impossible to use. The league had to determine how a professional basketball franchise could operate without a functional home court. Training camp was scheduled to begin on October 4 but could not proceed at their usual location in Westwego. Instead the team held the first three weeks of camp at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Owner George Shinn stated on September 3 that the storm would not be used as a reason to permanently relocate the franchise.
By mid-September SMG announced that the New Orleans arena could potentially be ready for occupancy by the All-Star Game break. Numerous cities including Kansas City, Louisville, Nashville and San Diego inquired about hosting the franchise. Oklahoma City emerged as the favored choice to serve as the temporary home of the team. By late September the Hornets finalized a move to Oklahoma City. Thirty-five games were played at the Ford Center while six others took place in Baton Rouge at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Three additional games in March could be moved back to New Orleans if repairs completed in time. The NBA officially referred to the team as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets during this transitional period. The deal reached with Oklahoma City allowed for the team to return for the 2006, 07 season if necessary.
The Hornets became the first team since the 1974, 75 Boston Celtics to play home games at four separate venues. They utilized the Ford Center in Oklahoma City alongside the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans. Games also occurred at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge and the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Oklahoma. This unique schedule required constant travel across multiple states throughout the season. The team opened their season in Oklahoma City with a 26-point win over the Sacramento Kings on the 1st of November 2005. Their first game in Louisiana came later that month in a loss to the Phoenix Suns on the 21st of December 2005. The franchise hosted the first professional sports event in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina on the 8th of March 2006 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Playing in the Ford Center resulted in an average of 18,168 fans per game representing a 78% increase from previous attendance figures. The team had finished last in attendance during the prior season while based in New Orleans before the storm. Chris Paul stated regarding fan support that you get a feeling you are part of something special. Mayor Mick Cornett said his expectations were lofty but they exceeded them. Despite guarantees by the league indicating a return for 2007, 08 many fans in New Orleans remained skeptical due to the popularity of the team in Oklahoma City. The Hornets completed the 2005, 06 season by winning 38 games and finishing tenth in the Western Conference.
All repair work on the New Orleans Arena was finished by March 2006 with new scoreboards added during the process. In June 2006 Shinn stated he was pleased with ongoing recovery efforts and reaffirmed his desire to permanently return for the 2007, 08 season. However the Hornets announced they were negotiating with Oklahoma City to play the 2007, 08 season at the Ford Center as a contingency plan. The NBA announced on the 31st of January 2006 that the Hornets would remain in Oklahoma City for the 2006, 07 season. They returned to New Orleans for six of their 41 home games during that season while hosting the 2008 All-Star Game. The league donated $5 million towards relief work during the event and staged an NBA Cares program throughout the city.
The Hornets made their permanent return to New Orleans on the 31st of October 2007 when they defeated the Sacramento Kings 109, 90. During the following two seasons the team averaged an attendance of 15,574 fans per game. Their final record improved by one game from the previous season though they finished three games out of playoff contention. Attendance declined slightly compared to the prior year but they still finished 15th overall in attendance figures. In 2013 the franchise changed its name to the Pelicans paving the way for a return of the Hornets name to Charlotte. That original home replaced the Bobcats name one year later after the Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City for the 2008, 09 season as the Thunder.
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Common questions
How did Hurricane Katrina affect the New Orleans Hornets home games in 2005?
Hurricane Katrina caused flooding that made the New Orleans Arena unusable for the 2005, 06 season. The team played thirty-five games at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City and six games at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge.
When was the New Orleans Hornets scheduled to return to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina?
The league announced on the 31st of January 2006 that the team would remain in Oklahoma City for the 2006, 07 season. The franchise made its permanent return to New Orleans on the 31st of October 2007 when they defeated the Sacramento Kings.
What venues did the New Orleans Hornets use during their temporary relocation from Hurricane Katrina?
The New Orleans Hornets became the first team since the 1974, 75 Boston Celtics to play home games at four separate venues. They utilized the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, the New Orleans Arena, the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, and the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Oklahoma.
How many fans attended New Orleans Hornets games in Oklahoma City compared to previous attendance figures?
Playing in the Ford Center resulted in an average of 18,168 fans per game representing a 78% increase from previous attendance figures. The team had finished last in attendance during the prior season while based in New Orleans before the storm.
When did the New Orleans Hornets change their name to the Pelicans after Hurricane Katrina?
In 2013 the franchise changed its name to the Pelicans paving the way for a return of the Hornets name to Charlotte. That original home replaced the Bobcats name one year later after the Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City for the 2008, 09 season as the Thunder.