The Logic Behind The New Orleans’ Pelicans Rebranding  A decade
after relocating from North Carolina, the New Orleans Hornets
will change their name and logo at the end of the season.  Ryan
Gerhardt Ryan Gerhardt on February 6, 2013.  Less than a year
after purchasing the New Orleans Hornets franchise, new owner
Tom Benson is making good on a promise to rebrand the team.
While the change has been somewhat expected, the same certainly
can’t be said about the new name.  Tipping-off the 2013-14
season will be the New Orleans…Pelicans. With subtlety clearly
having zero influence on the team’s rebranding angle, the
franchise decided to select a symbol that would be undoubtedly
‘NOLA.’ Considering Louisiana is known as ‘The Pelican State’
and features a pelican on the state flag and seals, there should
be little question around the NBA next year where the Pelicans
call home.  Benson and those within the organization wanted not
only a mascot but also a long-standing symbol of the city and
region, deciding that the p