Team Name Changes Without Relocating

Team Name Changes Without Relocating

Scott Cunningham, Andy Hayt/NBAE via Getty Images

Team owner Michael Jordan, who purchased a majority stake in 2010, announced in May 2013 that his franchise would re-brand from the Bobcats to the Hornets shortly after the New Orleans Hornets relinquished the nickname by becoming the "Pelicans" for the 2013-14 season. The Charlotte Bobcats officially adopted the "Hornets" moniker on Tuesday (May 20), launching a new website and social media accounts to reflect the name change. As part of the name change process, the Hornets will reclaim the history of the original Hornets: all original Hornets players will now be considered alumni of the current Hornets, opening up opportunities for the franchise to recognize and honor the earlier era of Charlotte basketball. Here are the other current franchises that have changed names without changing location.

Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images

Rick Stewart/Getty Images; Gary Bogdon/SI

Joe Robbins/Getty Images; Cliff Welch/Icon SMI

Walter Iooss Jr., John Biever/SI;

George Gojkovich/Getty Images; Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

Ed Widdis/AP; Craig Melvin/Getty Images

Neil Leifer/SI

Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images; Hy Peskin, Neil Leifer/SI

AP; Walter Iooss Jr./SI

Getty Images; Richard Meek/SI

Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images

Pro Football Hall Of Fame/WireImage; Walter Iooss Jr./SI

Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images(2); AP

Chicago History Museum/Getty Images; AP

Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images; Arthur Griffin/Griffin Museum of Photography

Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images; Neil Leifer/SI

Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images; National Baseball Hall of Fame Library/MLB Photos via Getty Images; Mark Kauffman/SI

Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images; Neil Leifer/SI

Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images; John Iacono/SI