CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
HISTORY
December
18, 2002
NBA Expansion Committee unanimously recommends that the NBA Board of
Governors approve an expansion franchise for the city of Charlotte to be
owned and operated by Robert L. Johnson.
January 7, 2003
Ed Tapscott hired as the organization’s executive vice president and
chief operating officer. He oversees the business and basketball
operations for both the Charlotte NBA franchise and the WNBA Charlotte
Sting.
January 10, 2003
NBA Board of Governors unanimously approves the granting of an expansion
team to Charlotte to be owned by Robert L. Johnson. Johnson also
immediately takes over ownership of the WNBA Charlotte Sting.
January 13, 2003
Robert L. Johnson endorses agreements negotiated between the NBA and the
city of Charlotte for the development and operation of the city’s new
basketball arena.
May 5, 2003
Sports Illustrated names Robert L. Johnson #1 on its list of 101 Most
Influential Minorities in Sports. On the same list, Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer Ed Tapscott ranks #56.
May 6, 2003
The Charlotte NBA expansion franchise narrows the choice for the team’s
nickname to three finalists. The Bobcats, Dragons and Flight are chosen
out of approximately 1,250 suggestions submitted to the team and the
Charlotte Regional Sports Commission.
May 15, 2003
Robert L. Johnson donates $1 million to benefit the West Boulevard YMCA.
The donation will be used for a new YMCA on the corner of Donald Ross
Road and West Boulevard to aid citizens of West Corridor.
June 11, 2003
The Charlotte NBA expansion franchise unveils Bobcats as the team
nickname, the new logo and a color scheme that includes orange as the
primary color in a street festival at Trade and Tryon Streets that
attracts an overflow crowd of 7,000 fans. Robert L. Johnson is joined by
Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory and NBA Commissioner David Stern.
June 26, 2003
The Bobcats launch their suite sales drive with a Suite Selection Draft
in conjunction with the NBA Draft. Robert L. Johnson plays the role of
the commissioner in announcing the sponsor companies and meeting them at
the podium.
July 29, 2003
Official groundblasting for the new Uptown Charlotte Arena takes place
on the arena site with 5,000 spectators in attendance. Robert L.
Johnson, Mayor Pat McCrory, members of the Charlotte City Council and
the Charlotte Coliseum Authority and the entire Charlotte Sting team
join with an array of family show characters and other live event
industry performers for the ceremony and festival. The Bobcats will
operate the new facility.
August 1, 2003
The Bobcats initiate a program that provides former Hornets season
ticket holders first priority to purchase Bobcats season tickets before
the general public. Those who had season tickets in 2001-02 can reclaim
their exact seat locations for the Bobcats inaugural 2004-05 season in
the Charlotte Coliseum
August 27, 2003
The Bobcats announce that all season ticket holders who purchase Bobcats
season tickets for the first five seasons will obtain a FREE Seat
License for each seat subscribed.
September 5, 2003
Owner Robert L. Johnson announces that Michael Jordan will not become an
investor nor front office employee of the Charlotte Bobcats.
September 15, 2003
An influential group of local Charlotte investors joins majority owner
Robert L. Johnson as minority partners in Bobcats Basketball Holdings,
LLC, the ownership group of the Charlotte Bobcats and the Charlotte
Sting. Investor principles include: Bank of America Corporation,
Wachovia Corporation, Skipper Beck, M. L. Carr, Howard Levine, Hugh
McColl, Jr., Felix Sabates, Nelson Schwab III, Anderson Warlick, Ed
Weisiger, Jr. and Professional Sports Investment Group led by managing
partners Rev. Claude Alexander and Dr. Spurgeon Webber III.
September 29, 2003
The Bobcats introduce (704) BOBCATS as the club’s new phone number for
fan information, ticket sales and customer relations.
October 16, 2003
Bernie Bickerstaff is hired in a dual role as the Bobcats’ general
manager and head coach. In conjunction with that announcement, the team
introduced the basketball operations staff: Karl Hicks, assistant
general manager; Gary Brokaw, director of player personnel; Tim Shea,
director of international scouting; Kenny Williamson, director and Frank
Ross, scout.
October 23, 2003
The Bobcats names Charlotte basketball legend and community leader Dell
Curry as director of basketball relations. The 16-year NBA veteran adds
duties in the organization’s basketball operations, community relations,
public relations, sales and marketing efforts.
November 1, 2003
Season tickets for the 2004-05 season go on sale to the general public
at the Charlotte Coliseum. At the event, the Bobcats also unveil their
new team mascot – an orange bobcat with sunglasses, a black button-down
jersey, denim shorts and blue high-top basketball sneakers.
November 17, 2003
The NBA announces the divisional alignment for competition when the
Bobcats join for the 2004-05 season. Charlotte will be in the Southeast
Division with Atlanta, Miami, Orlando and Washington. With 30 teams, the
NBA will consist of six, five-team divisions that will be divided into
two, 15-team conferences.
November 26, 2003
The Bobcats partner with Sports Radio 610 AM WFNZ and the “Primetime
with the Packman Show” to collect more than 2,600 turkeys, over $28,000
and boxloads of canned goods and other holiday items during the first
annual “Street Turkeys” turkey drive.
December 4, 2003
The Bobcats open their marketing center one block from the Uptown
Charlotte Arena site. The facility contains an exact replica of a suite
and the premium seating options for the new arena.
December 13, 2003
Rufus is selected as the name for the team’s new mascot in an
announcement at Belk in SouthPark Mall. Rufus was overwhelmingly the fan
favorite in online voting.
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