Stern Insists Hornets Will Return to N.O.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">As the Hornets seek potential minority ownership from a group either in New Orleans or Oklahoma City, NBA commissioner David Stern remains steadfast that the Hornets will return to the Crescent City in 2007, regardless of whom team owner George Shinn brings in as a partner.

"I don't know how many times I can say the same thing in different ways," Stern said. "We think that based upon the reconstruction and population of New Orleans and the repair of the building (New Orleans Arena) that business -- not 'as usual' because it will never be 'business as usual' -- can carry on."

The Hornets, according to Shinn, are thriving in Oklahoma City, their temporary home after Hurricane Katrina forced them out of New Orleans. In late January, the team announced it would play 35 of next season's 41 home games in Oklahoma City and six in New Orleans.

"The team would be an absolute financial success in Oklahoma; I won't lie to you," Shinn said in March, "I just hope (Louisiana) and the city can step up and give us support."

"There's a lot of work that we'll be doing (in Louisiana)," Stern said. "Meeting with the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Superdome Commission and a lot of representatives of important groups that would be designed to assure that when the team returns, it will be a successful return."

While the Hornets seek potential minority owners, Stern said he thinks Oklahoma City minority owners -- led by businessman Clay Bennett -- would only hold onto their stake in the team as long as it played in Oklahoma City.

Having Oklahoma City own a chunk of the Hornets likely wouldn't sit well with New Orleanians, but Stern said it would be a good way for an aspiring ownership group to get involved in the business and prove to the league that their city has potential as a permanent site for a team.

"I think one good can be that it will help support the team in Oklahoma City," Stern said. "And, I believe, attempt to demonstrate to the NBA that there is serious capital available amongst potential Oklahoma City owners, who would be ready to buy a team in the event we were prepared to put an NBA team in Oklahoma City on a permanent basis.

"So I can't blame them for being supportive of an effort, which is actually being generated by George Shinn, to say he'd like to have some minority investors."

The lingering issue with the Hornets' future is its lease, which legally binds the team to return to New Orleans if New Orleans Arena is playable; the state is giving the team leeway to remain in Oklahoma City next year because of the extenuating financial circumstances.

When asked if there were ways for the lease to be broken, Stern said, "I have no idea, because we're not planning to break it."

"This is not a tug of war between New Orleans and Oklahoma City over the Hornets," said Larry Roedel, legal counsel to the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District, in an e-mail. "Oklahoma City has been a gracious host and has allowed the team to get financially healthy. Louisiana says thank you for that effort. The team will return here for 2007-2008." </div>

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