7 Things You Didn't Know About the Original Charlotte Hornets

From the Bring Back the Buzz archive: our "Did You Know?" series (2016-2019), collected in one place. These come from Hornets lore and our own past posts.

The original Charlotte Hornets were only here from 1988 to 2002, but they left a pile of great stories. Here are seven of our favorites.

1. Magic Johnson wore a Hornets shirt

On March 10, 1989, the Lakers beat our brand-new Hornets 123-90. Magic Johnson still pulled on a Hornets shirt for his postgame interview with the thousands of fans who stayed. That was the early Hornets playbook: even when we lost, Charlotte made the night an event.

2. The uniform designer was reportedly paid in barbecue

Designer Alexander Julian created the iconic pinstriped teal-and-purple uniforms. As the story goes, his payment was five pounds of barbecue a month from a local spot. He called it "Carolina caviar." Early drafts reportedly even had pink. Good call on the BBQ, better call on dropping the pink.

3. The original logo you never see

Hugo wasn't the first logo. According to Hornets lore, the first design drew a legal complaint over its resemblance to another team's mark, which forced a quick redesign. Funny how you can stumble into greatness.

4. We almost became the Charlotte Dragons

When Charlotte's second team was named in 2004, two other names tested well with fans: the Charlotte Flight (for "First in Flight") and the Charlotte Dragons. The Bobcats won out. A decade later, Charlotte fans came together to Bring Back the Buzz.

5. Robert Parish got a grandfather clock

When Robert "The Chief" Parish broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record for most career games played, as a Hornet, Charlotte gave him a grandfather clock at halftime. Best retirement-adjacent gift in NBA history. The man stood the test of time.

6. The Hive is gone, but you can still visit

The old Charlotte Coliseum, where the original Hornets sold out game after game, was demolished in 2007. A small memorial marks the spot. Hornets fans still make the pilgrimage. Next time you drive by, give a honk.

7. The Hornets pool

Former owner George Shinn reportedly had a pool at his lake home built like a basketball court, with the Hornets logo tiled in the middle. When lightning destroyed the house, the story goes, the pool survived, and the new owners kept the Hornet.

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