The Charlotte Hornets, an NBA team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, were established as an expansion franchise in 1988 by George Shinn, quickly gaining popularity for their unique teal uniforms and pinstripes. The original team relocated to New Orleans in 2002, but Charlotte received a new expansion team in 2004, initially known as the Bobcats. NBA legend Michael Jordan became a minority owner in 2006 and later the majority owner in 2010, significantly shaping the team's direction.

In 2014, the franchise thrillingly reverted to its original and beloved "Hornets" name, also acquiring the historical records of the first team, thereby making them statistically one continuous entity. Jordan sold his majority stake in August 2023 to a group led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall, though he retains a minority share, ushering in a new era for the team that plays its home games at the Spectrum Center.