New Orleans is being watched by the NBA

As the New Orleans Hornets ready themselves for their third season, its status as a bonafide NBA city remains unclear. Last year attendance dropped by 5 percent, as nearly 1,000 season ticket holders did not renew.

In attempts to remedy the decline, the franchise's marketing department has worked to assist the city embrace the Hornets. They have run more TV and radio commercials targeting a youthful demographic recently, and implemented a network of regional sales offices aimed at fans from Biloxi, Miss., to Baton Rouge.

"This is a key season for us," Hornets COO Jack Capella said. "We know the league is watching. I don't know that they are looking at it to see whether basketball can make it in this city, but they are certainly expecting us to perform better than we have in the first two years."

There is reason to be optimistic as the Hornets will shift into the Western Conference, meaning more games with high profile teams such as the Lakers, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Kings and Spurs.

Via The Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets

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Former Hornets President sentenced to 15 months in prison

Spencer Stolpen, former president of the Charlotte Hornets, was sentenced to 15 months in prison Monday for scheming to defraud banks to pay off his mounting debts.

Federal prosecutors said Stolpen was facing rising overdue bills in 2002 when he engaged in the fraud scheme. Stolpen pleaded guilty to bank fraud and filing a fraudulent bank loan application.

Via ESPN

New Orleans Hornets

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White Wants to Stay in Denver

Free agent Rodney White would love to remain a Nugget, but he also wants to play as well. "I just really want an opportunity," White said. "I played 13 minutes a game last year. I would like to play some more minutes. To remain a Nugget White would probably have to take a temporary pay cut as Denver is already $2.3-million under the salary cap. They also declined to pick up White’s $2.5-million dollar option for next season.

"When I get the playing time, hopefully 2.5 won't even be what we'll be talking about. I just want the best situation right now. I'm not looking for the max dollars."

Given this fact White is still looking forward to the opportunity to remain with the Nuggets. "I would like to end up back in Denver," White said. "Denver has a chance to go very far, and I would love to be part of that if I'm utilized the right way."

Miami and New Orleans are the two other teams expressing interest in White.

Via The Rocky Mountain News

Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, New Orleans Hornets

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