Hornets Meeting

NEW ORLEANS – Following a meeting Monday with New Orleans business and community leaders to discuss the future of the New Orleans Hornets, Governor Bobby Jindal and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu urged fans to buy Hornets tickets and pack the New Orleans Arena in order to help meet the minimum attendance average for the team’s lease. There are 12 home games remaining before the deadline – January 31 – to meet the two-year attendance average of 14,735 required in the Hornets’ lease or the team can opt out and leave the city.

Governor Jindal said, “We had a great meeting with the Mayor and New Orleans business and community leaders. We all agreed that the top priority is to get Hornets fans to buy as many tickets as possible over the next 12 home games to pack the Arena and keep our team right here at home. We are calling on everyone in New Orleans and throughout the state to get out here and support our team over the next month.

“Under the current contract, the team will have the entire month of February to decide if they want to continue with the lease or opt out, if the attendance goal is not met. That is why we must drive attendance up and meet this goal. We want to keep our basketball team right here at home and we need everyone’s help for that. Everyone in New Orleans, everyone across our state and around the country who loves New Orleans – we need your help to pack the arena.”

Mayor Landrieu said, “As someone who was involved in bringing the Hornets to New Orleans in 2002, I remain committed to keeping the team here for good and have reiterated our city's unwavering support for the franchise to Commissioner Stern. The Hornets and the NBA have been true community partners, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent staging of the 2008 All Star Game in New Orleans.  I will continue work with Governor Jindal to engage the local business community and others on strategies to keep the Hornets located in New Orleans for the long term.  Now, we must rally as a community to show our support for a team that has been an integral component of our city's revival.”