How Bring Back the Buzz Got Its Crown (and Stayed Independent)

From the Bring Back the Buzz archive. First published April 1, 2014, as "The Future of #BringBacktheBuzz" on bringbackthebuzz.net, lightly edited.

Ever wonder where the crown in The Crown Club CLT comes from? This is the story. In early 2014, with the Hornets name officially on its way back, the NBA raised an issue with our brand, and we had to decide what Bring Back the Buzz would be next.

For those who've followed us since the beginning: we never imagined Bring Back the Buzz would become what it did. When we started, we promised each other never to lose sight of the original goal. We didn't just want to change the name of our NBA team. We wanted to change the culture around it. The city accomplished the first goal. We still have work to do on the second.

The NBA comes calling

About six weeks earlier, the Bobcats contacted us about an issue the NBA had with our brand. The Bobcats were kind enough to tell the league they knew who we were and had a relationship with us. (We later found out other fan groups weren't so lucky.)

Between a college student and a teacher, we didn't exactly have the funds to fight the NBA, and we didn't want to. After laughing at the irony of the group that cried "name change" about to lose its own, we did our own rebrand. We ditched our Hugo for a crown and paid to trademark our name.

Then the Bobcats called us in with the verdict: we could keep being Bring Back the Buzz, and the new logo was fine. They also offered to donate something to our SWARM4CHARITY event and said they admired Play Charlotte, our push to get local bars to show Charlotte games.

Why we stayed independent

As for an official relationship, we decided it was in our best interest to stay independent. It's what makes this group special. Our content comes from the people who identify with the movement. It doesn't need to be regulated by a higher authority, and a group inspired by a need for change shouldn't be restricted. Bring Back the Buzz would stay the voice of the fans.

Where it led

That crown stuck. In 2021, Bring Back the Buzz became The Crown Club CLT, the independent fan union for the Charlotte Hornets. We still aren't run by the team, and we still answer to the fans. Today that means TEALgates before every home game, away trip takeovers, and a membership with a member kit and an exclusive crown patch.