Charlotte Bobcats
Encyclopedia
The Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball
team based in Charlotte
, North Carolina
. They play in the Southeast Division
of the Eastern Conference
of the National Basketball Association
. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team
, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA team, the Charlotte Hornets
, relocated to New Orleans
and became the New Orleans Hornets. The Bobcats play their home games at Time Warner Cable Arena in center city Charlotte
. As of the end of the 2010–11 season, the Bobcats have compiled a record of 222–352. The only time they have qualified for the postseason
was in the 2009–10 season.
relocated to New Orleans in 2002, the NBA promised Charlotte leaders that the city would be granted an NBA expansion team for the 2004–05 season. Several ownership groups, including one led by former Boston Celtics
star Larry Bird
, made bids for the team. On December 18, 2002, a group led by Black Entertainment Television
founder Robert L. Johnson
was awarded the franchise, allowing him to become the first majority African American
owner in U.S.
professional sports
. The rapper
Nelly
became another notable co-owner.
In June 2003, the new team was named the Bobcats. The bobcat
, an expert at survival according to the North Carolina Wildlife Commission, is athletic, fierce and an indigenous predator to the Carolinas. Charlotte, already being home to the Carolina Panthers
of the National Football League
, made the cat-related name a natural choice for the area's
new basketball team. There is also speculation as to whether or not the "Bob" in Bobcats is a further reference to Robert "Bob" Johnson, the original owner of the team.
The Bobcats hired Bernie Bickerstaff
as the first Head Coach and general manager
in franchise history. Despite failed attempts at the ballot box to fully fund a new uptown
arena, city politicians decided to implement a hotel and leisure tax in Charlotte to help pay for it. George Shinn, owner of the Hornets, also wanted the city to pay for a new arena, and subsequently left town when it failed to do so.
and talented youngsters such as Sacramento Kings
forward Gerald Wallace
. They also traded with the Los Angeles Clippers
to acquire the second pick in the 2004 NBA Draft
, which they used to select Emeka Okafor
, a center
from Connecticut
. The Bobcats' first game of the 2004–05 season
took place on November 4th at the Charlotte Coliseum
, and was a 103–96 loss to the Washington Wizards
. Two days later, they won their first game in franchise history over the Orlando Magic
, 111–100. On December 14, the Bobcats really gave their fans something to roar about, beating the New Orleans Hornets 94–93 in overtime in the team's first trip to Charlotte after their move to New Orleans. However, like most expansion teams, the Bobcats mostly struggled, finishing their inaugural season with a record of 18 wins and 64 losses and never winning more than two games in a row. Emeka Okafor put on a strong performance, however, and won the 2004–05 NBA Rookie of the Year Award
.
In the 2005 NBA Draft
, the Bobcats drafted Raymond Felton
and Sean May from North Carolina
. With them, in addition to Okafor and Wallace, the team hoped to build a young, solid foundation for future success. In their second season
, the Bobcats opened the new Charlotte Bobcats Arena with an overtime victory over the Boston Celtics
. Despite struggling again for most of the year, they managed to close out the season with four straight wins to finish with a record of 26–56, an eight game improvement over their inaugural season. After the season, the Bobcats announced that NBA legend and North Carolina native Michael Jordan
had bought a minority stake in the team, becoming the second-largest shareholder and head of basketball operations.
The Bobcats showed some improvement during the 2006–07 season
, posting a 22–33 record late in February. However, the team went cold, suffering through an eight game losing streak and dropping their record to 22–41 by early March. Following the slump, Michael Jordan announced that head coach Bernie Bickerstaff
would not return to coach the following season, but would finish coaching the remainder of the current season. The Bobcats sent Bickerstaff out with a bang, winning 11 of their last 19 games to finish their third season with a 33–49 record. In three seasons with the Bobcats, Bickerstaff finished with an overall head coaching record of 77–169.
was hired as general manager, and Sam Vincent
was hired as the second head coach in franchise history. Phil Ford was added to the coaching staff over the summer, and another position was filled when Buzz Peterson
was hired from Coastal Carolina University
to become director of player personnel. In the 2007 NBA Draft
, Brandan Wright
was selected by the Bobcats with the eighth pick; he was subsequently traded to Golden State in a deal that included Jason Richardson
being sent to Charlotte. Unfortunately, the Bobcats were unable to capitalize on offseason moves, finishing the 2007–08 season
with a disappointing 32–50 record. The team, which felt confident the season would end with its first playoff berth, struggled amid rumors of players clashing with the coach. Only lasting a year, in which he struggled with personnel decisions, Sam Vincent was fired on April 26, 2008.
On April 29, 2008 the Bobcats reached an agreement to hire Basketball Hall of Fame
r Larry Brown
as the third head coach in franchise history. With the ninth selection of the 2008 NBA Draft
, the Bobcats selected D. J. Augustin
from Texas
. The team came very close to reaching the franchise's first playoff berth during the 2008–09 season
, but finished just four games out of eighth place with a team record 35 wins, 47 losses. Members of the team voiced their frustration at management for hosting the Charlotte Jumper Classic, a horse event, at the end of the season. The scheduling conflict forced the Bobcats to play their final four games on the road, virtually ending any playoff hopes. Following the season, Robert Johnson announced he was putting the team up for sale.
Gerald Henderson
from Duke
was chosen with the 12th pick by the Bobcats in the 2009 NBA Draft
. The Bobcats traded Emeka Okafor
for New Orleans Hornets center Tyson Chandler
, and through more trades acquired Stephen Jackson
and Acie Law from the Golden State Warriors
. On February 27, 2010, it was announced that Robert Johnson had decided to sell the team to Michael Jordan, allowing Jordan to become the first former NBA player to become majority owner of a franchise. The Bobcats played their best basketball yet, finishing the 2009–10 season with an overall record of 44–38, the team's first-ever winning record and good enough for the first playoff berth
in franchise history. Additionally, Gerald Wallace became the first player from the Bobcats to become an NBA All-Star
. However, in the first round of the playoffs, the Bobcats were swept by the Orlando Magic
, quickly ending their season.
with high hopes following their success the previous season. In a victory over the Phoenix Suns
, Stephen Jackson recorded the first triple-double in franchise history. However, the Bobcats struggled early during the season, and on December 22, 2010, following a dismal 9–19 start, Michael Jordan announced that Larry Brown had stepped down as the Bobcats Head Coach; that same day, veteran coach Paul Silas
was hired as their new Head Coach. On February 24, 2011, the day of the NBA trade deadline, the Bobcats made some moves to clear up some cap space as they prepare for the much anticipated elite free agent class of 2012. The Bobcats sent former all-star forward Gerald Wallace
to the Portland Trail Blazers
for two first round draft picks, Joel Przybilla
, Sean Marks
, and Dante Cunningham
. They also sent veteran center Nazr Mohammed
to the Oklahoma City Thunder
for DJ White and Mo Peterson. Going down the stretch, injuries killed any chances of Charlotte trying to catch the Indiana Pacers
for the eighth spot in the east; the key injuries included Stephen Jackson
and Tyrus Thomas
. In the end, the Bobcats finished the season with a 34–48, finishing 25–29 under Paul Silas.
have been white, reading "Bobcats" in orange with blue and black trimming. The primary away jersey was orange reading "Charlotte" in white with blue and black trimming. In the 2006 offseason, the Bobcats announced a new alternate away jersey which debuted during the 2006–07 season. The alternate jersey is blue and read reads "Bobcats" in white with black, orange and white trimming. Racing Day blue alternates are used to honor Charlotte's NASCAR
fanbase.
For the 2009–10 season, the Bobcats redesigned their uniforms, which have a mixture of characteristics from the old Charlotte Hornets and the Bobcats uniforms. The home uniforms are white and features an arched "Bobcats" in blue with orange and white trim. Road uniforms are blue and features the arched "Charlotte" in white with blue and orange trim. Both designs feature silver pinstripes, similar to what the Hornets have worn for most of their existence. The NASCAR alternates were also updated to include the pinstripes.
During their first season, the Bobcats played their home games at the Charlotte Coliseum
,MNM, while their new arena (the Charlotte Bobcats Arena) was being built. After its completion, the city closed the old Coliseum in the 2005 offseason and opened the new arena with a Rolling Stones concert.
In April 2008, the Bobcats reached a naming rights
deal with Time Warner Cable
, the Charlotte area's largest cable television
provider. In exchange for the naming rights, Time Warner agreed to tear up the cable television deal that had limited the Bobcats' exposure over the team's first four years.
NBA All-Rookie First Team
NBA All-Rookie Second Team
NBA All-Defensive First Team
NBA All-Star Weekend
. It aired 60 Bobcats games that also aired on Comporium Cable
in the South Carolina
portion of the Charlotte market. However, Time Warner placed C-SET on its digital package
as an incentive to try to get customers to switch to its digital service, leaving analog customers in the dark. It also refused to allow DirecTV
or Dish Network
to pick up the network on their local feeds. As a result, most of the western Carolinas
and those without digital cable were left to rely on radio coverage.
C-SET folded on the day of the 2005 NBA Draft, and most games then moved to News 14 Carolina
, a cable news channel available on Time Warner Cable's systems in Charlotte, the Triad
and the Triangle. However, this left viewers in most of South Carolina (except for the South Carolina side of the Charlotte area, which saw games on Comporium) as well as eastern
and western North Carolina, out in the cold. News 14 was also not available on satellite.
As part of the Time Warner Cable Arena deal, the Bobcats signed over broadcasting rights to Fox Sports South. Starting with the last five games of the 2007-08 season, about 70 games per season have been shown on Fox Sports Carolinas (Fox Sports South's new regional feed) and sister network SportSouth
in North and South Carolina. The deal is believed to be the first simultaneous naming rights/broadcast rights deal in the history of North American professional sports.
Select games also air on a network of over-the-air stations across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, fronted by WMYT-TV
in Charlotte.
The flagship station for radio coverage is WFNZ
, Charlotte's all-sports radio station. Before 2009-10, games had aired on WOLS
. WOLS switched its non-sports programming from Oldies
to Spanish language on January 1, 2009, making Bobcats and Duke basketball the station's only non-Spanish language programming.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team based in Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. They play in the Southeast Division
Southeast Division (NBA)
The Southeast Division is one of the three divisions in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . The division consists of five teams, the Atlanta Hawks, the Charlotte Bobcats, the Miami Heat, the Orlando Magic and the Washington WizardsThe division was created at the start of...
of the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (NBA)
The Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association is made up of fifteen teams, organized in three divisions of five teams each.The three division winners and the non-division winner with the best record are seeded 1 through 4 for the playoffs in order of their records, with all...
of the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team
Expansion team
An expansion team is a brand new team in a sports league. The term is most commonly used in reference to the North American major professional sports leagues, but is applied to sports leagues worldwide that use a closed franchise system of league membership. The term comes from the expansion of the...
, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA team, the Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte Hornets (NBA)
The Charlotte Hornets was a professional American basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They played in the Atlantic, Midwest, and Central divisions of the National Basketball Association. The Hornets began play during the 1988–89 NBA season as an expansion franchise, along with the...
, relocated to New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
and became the New Orleans Hornets. The Bobcats play their home games at Time Warner Cable Arena in center city Charlotte
Charlotte center city
Charlotte center city is the central area of Charlotte, North Carolina. The headquarters for the Fortune 500 companies Bank of America and Duke Energy are located here, as well as the headquarters for East Coast operations for Wells Fargo.Museums, sporting venues, shops, hotels, restaurants, and...
. As of the end of the 2010–11 season, the Bobcats have compiled a record of 222–352. The only time they have qualified for the postseason
NBA Playoffs
The National Basketball Association Playoffs is a best-of-seven elimination tournament among sixteen teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference , ultimately deciding the final four teams who will play in the NBA Conference Finals.-Format:Following the NBA regular season, eight teams in...
was in the 2009–10 season.
2002–2004: Creation of the Bobcats
When the Charlotte HornetsCharlotte Hornets (NBA)
The Charlotte Hornets was a professional American basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They played in the Atlantic, Midwest, and Central divisions of the National Basketball Association. The Hornets began play during the 1988–89 NBA season as an expansion franchise, along with the...
relocated to New Orleans in 2002, the NBA promised Charlotte leaders that the city would be granted an NBA expansion team for the 2004–05 season. Several ownership groups, including one led by former Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
star Larry Bird
Larry Bird
Larry Joe Bird is a former American NBA basketball player and coach. Drafted into the NBA sixth overall by the Boston Celtics in 1978, Bird started at small forward and power forward for thirteen seasons, spearheading one of the NBA's most formidable frontcourts that included center Robert Parish...
, made bids for the team. On December 18, 2002, a group led by Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
founder Robert L. Johnson
Robert L. Johnson
Robert L. Johnson is an American business magnate best known for being the founder of television network Black Entertainment Television , and is also its former chairman and chief executive officer...
was awarded the franchise, allowing him to become the first majority African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
owner in U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional sports
Professional sports
Professional sports, as opposed to amateur sports, are sports in which athletes receive payment for their performance. Professional athleticism has come to the fore through a combination of developments. Mass media and increased leisure have brought larger audiences, so that sports organizations...
. The rapper
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
Nelly
Nelly
Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr. , better known by his stage name Nelly, is an Grammy Award winning American rapper and actor. He has performed with the rap group St. Lunatics since 1993 and signed to Universal Records in 1999. Under Universal, Nelly began his solo career in 2000 with his debut album...
became another notable co-owner.
In June 2003, the new team was named the Bobcats. The bobcat
Bobcat
The bobcat is a North American mammal of the cat family Felidae, appearing during the Irvingtonian stage of around 1.8 million years ago . With twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States...
, an expert at survival according to the North Carolina Wildlife Commission, is athletic, fierce and an indigenous predator to the Carolinas. Charlotte, already being home to the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
, made the cat-related name a natural choice for the area's
Charlotte metropolitan area
The Charlotte metropolitan area is a metropolitan area/region of North and South Carolina within and surrounding the city of Charlotte...
new basketball team. There is also speculation as to whether or not the "Bob" in Bobcats is a further reference to Robert "Bob" Johnson, the original owner of the team.
The Bobcats hired Bernie Bickerstaff
Bernie Bickerstaff
Bernard Tyrone "Bernie" Bickerstaff is an assistant coach for the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. Prior to the Trail Blazers, Bickerstaff was an assistant for the Chicago Bulls and Executive Vice President of the Charlotte Bobcats...
as the first Head Coach and general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
in franchise history. Despite failed attempts at the ballot box to fully fund a new uptown
Charlotte center city
Charlotte center city is the central area of Charlotte, North Carolina. The headquarters for the Fortune 500 companies Bank of America and Duke Energy are located here, as well as the headquarters for East Coast operations for Wells Fargo.Museums, sporting venues, shops, hotels, restaurants, and...
arena, city politicians decided to implement a hotel and leisure tax in Charlotte to help pay for it. George Shinn, owner of the Hornets, also wanted the city to pay for a new arena, and subsequently left town when it failed to do so.
2004–2007: The NBA returns to Charlotte
The Bobcats held their expansion draft on June 22, 2004, picking up such seasoned players as Predrag DrobnjakPredrag Drobnjak
Predrag "Peja" Drobnjak is a Montenegrin former professional basketball player. Drobnjak was born in Bijelo Polje, SR Montenegro, SFR Yugoslavia . During his career, he played professionally in the NBA.-Pro career:Drobnjak was a second-round draft choice of the Washington Bullets in the 1997 NBA...
and talented youngsters such as Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
forward Gerald Wallace
Gerald Wallace
Gerald Jermaine Wallace is an American professional basketball forward for the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA.- High school :Wallace attended Childersburg High School in Childersburg, Alabama, where he had a very successful career...
. They also traded with the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
to acquire the second pick in the 2004 NBA Draft
2004 NBA Draft
The 2004 NBA Draft was held on June 24, 2004 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York and was broadcast live on ESPN at 7:00 pm . In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible...
, which they used to select Emeka Okafor
Emeka Okafor
Chukwuemeka Ndubuisi Okafor, abbreviated as Emeka Okafor , is an American basketball power forward and center for the New Orleans Hornets of the National Basketball Association. Prior to the NBA, Okafor attended Houston's Bellaire High School, and the University of Connecticut.-Early life:Okafor...
, a center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
from Connecticut
Connecticut Huskies men's basketball
The Connecticut Huskies is the name of the men's college basketball team representing the University of Connecticut, in Storrs, Connecticut, USA. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big East Conference...
. The Bobcats' first game of the 2004–05 season
2004–05 Charlotte Bobcats season
The 2004–05 Charlotte Bobcats season was the inaugural season for the Charlotte Bobcats in the National Basketball Association . The NBA returned to Charlotte for the first time since 2002 when the Charlotte Hornets relocated to New Orleans to become the New Orleans...
took place on November 4th at the Charlotte Coliseum
Charlotte Coliseum
The Charlotte Coliseum was a multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was operated by the Charlotte Coliseum Authority, which also oversees the operation of Bojangles' Coliseum, the Charlotte Convention Center, and Ovens Auditorium...
, and was a 103–96 loss to the Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
. Two days later, they won their first game in franchise history over the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
, 111–100. On December 14, the Bobcats really gave their fans something to roar about, beating the New Orleans Hornets 94–93 in overtime in the team's first trip to Charlotte after their move to New Orleans. However, like most expansion teams, the Bobcats mostly struggled, finishing their inaugural season with a record of 18 wins and 64 losses and never winning more than two games in a row. Emeka Okafor put on a strong performance, however, and won the 2004–05 NBA Rookie of the Year Award
NBA Rookie of the Year Award
The National Basketball Association's Rookie of the Year Award is an annual National Basketball Association award given since the 1952–53 NBA season, to the top rookie of the regular season. The winner receives the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy, which is named in honor of the Philadelphia Warriors head...
.
In the 2005 NBA Draft
2005 NBA Draft
The 2005 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 2005 in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues...
, the Bobcats drafted Raymond Felton
Raymond Felton
Raymond Bernard Felton, Jr. is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association . A point guard, Felton is listed at 6'1 and 205 lbs. Felton played college basketball for the North Carolina under head coach Roy...
and Sean May from North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball
The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is considered one of the most successful programs in NCAA history...
. With them, in addition to Okafor and Wallace, the team hoped to build a young, solid foundation for future success. In their second season
2005–06 Charlotte Bobcats season
The 2005–06 Charlotte Bobcats season was the 2nd season for the Charlotte Bobcats in the National Basketball Association . The Bobcats moved from the Charlotte Coliseum to the Charlotte Bobcats Arena.-Draft:-Standings:-Season schedule:...
, the Bobcats opened the new Charlotte Bobcats Arena with an overtime victory over the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
. Despite struggling again for most of the year, they managed to close out the season with four straight wins to finish with a record of 26–56, an eight game improvement over their inaugural season. After the season, the Bobcats announced that NBA legend and North Carolina native Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
had bought a minority stake in the team, becoming the second-largest shareholder and head of basketball operations.
The Bobcats showed some improvement during the 2006–07 season
2006–07 Charlotte Bobcats season
The 2006–07 Charlotte Bobcats season was the 3rd season for the Charlotte Bobcats in the National Basketball Association .-Draft:-Standings:-Game log:-Roster:-Awards and records:NBA All-Rookie Second Team...
, posting a 22–33 record late in February. However, the team went cold, suffering through an eight game losing streak and dropping their record to 22–41 by early March. Following the slump, Michael Jordan announced that head coach Bernie Bickerstaff
Bernie Bickerstaff
Bernard Tyrone "Bernie" Bickerstaff is an assistant coach for the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. Prior to the Trail Blazers, Bickerstaff was an assistant for the Chicago Bulls and Executive Vice President of the Charlotte Bobcats...
would not return to coach the following season, but would finish coaching the remainder of the current season. The Bobcats sent Bickerstaff out with a bang, winning 11 of their last 19 games to finish their third season with a 33–49 record. In three seasons with the Bobcats, Bickerstaff finished with an overall head coaching record of 77–169.
2007–2010: Struggles under Vincent; success under Brown
Front office and coaching were key focuses for the Bobcats during the 2007 offseason. Rod HigginsRod Higgins
Roderick Dwayne "Rod" Higgins is a retired American professional basketball player who currently serves as president of basketball operations for the National Basketball Association's Charlotte Bobcats....
was hired as general manager, and Sam Vincent
Sam Vincent (basketball)
James Samuel "Sam" Vincent is a retired American professional basketball player and the former head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats. In 2008 Sam was named the head coach of the Anaheim Arsenal of the NBA Developmental league.Vincent won the State of Michigan "Mr. Basketball" award in 1981, the...
was hired as the second head coach in franchise history. Phil Ford was added to the coaching staff over the summer, and another position was filled when Buzz Peterson
Buzz Peterson
Robert Bower "Buzz" Peterson, Jr. is the current head coach of the UNC Wilmington Seahawks men's basketball team. Peterson was the Head Coach of the Tennessee Volunteers for four years before being fired in 2005. He previously coached a second stint at Appalachian State--he coached the 2009–10...
was hired from Coastal Carolina University
Coastal Carolina University
Coastal Carolina University is an independent, state-supported, liberal arts university in Conway, South Carolina, USA, located eight miles west of Myrtle Beach. Founded in 1954, Coastal became an independent university in 1993. The University enrolls approximately 8,300 students on its campus...
to become director of player personnel. In the 2007 NBA Draft
2007 NBA Draft
The 2007 NBA Draft was held on June 28, 2007 at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. It was broadcast on television in 115 countries. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
, Brandan Wright
Brandan Wright
Brandan Keith Wright is an American professional basketball player who last played for the New Jersey Nets of the National Basketball Association . Growing up in Tennessee, Wright fast became a standout at his high school Brentwood Academy, earning an unprecedented three "Mr. Basketball" titles, a...
was selected by the Bobcats with the eighth pick; he was subsequently traded to Golden State in a deal that included Jason Richardson
Jason Richardson
Jason Anthoney "J-Rich" Richardson is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association.A 6'6", 225 lb...
being sent to Charlotte. Unfortunately, the Bobcats were unable to capitalize on offseason moves, finishing the 2007–08 season
2007–08 Charlotte Bobcats season
The 2007–08 Charlotte Bobcats season was their 4th season in the National Basketball Association since becoming an expansion team in 2004.Charlotte finished 32–50 for the season and didn't qualify for the playoffs...
with a disappointing 32–50 record. The team, which felt confident the season would end with its first playoff berth, struggled amid rumors of players clashing with the coach. Only lasting a year, in which he struggled with personnel decisions, Sam Vincent was fired on April 26, 2008.
Basketball Hall of Fame
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, located in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States, honors exceptional basketball players, coaches, referees, executives, and other major contributors to the game of basketball worldwide...
r Larry Brown
Larry Brown (basketball)
Lawrence Harvey "Larry" Brown is an American basketball coach and former player. He most recently served as head coach of the National Basketball Association's Charlotte Bobcats....
as the third head coach in franchise history. With the ninth selection of the 2008 NBA Draft
2008 NBA Draft
The 2008 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2008 at the Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, including...
, the Bobcats selected D. J. Augustin
D. J. Augustin
Darryl Gerard "D. J." Augustin, Jr. is an American professional basketball player. He played point guard for the University of Texas Longhorns from 2006–2008. He was drafted ninth overall by the Charlotte Bobcats of the National Basketball Association in 2008...
from Texas
Texas Longhorns men's basketball
The Texas Longhorns men's basketball team represents The University of Texas at Austin in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. The Longhorns currently compete in the Big 12 Conference....
. The team came very close to reaching the franchise's first playoff berth during the 2008–09 season
2008–09 Charlotte Bobcats season
The 2008–09 Charlotte Bobcats season was the 5th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association since becoming an expansion team in 2004....
, but finished just four games out of eighth place with a team record 35 wins, 47 losses. Members of the team voiced their frustration at management for hosting the Charlotte Jumper Classic, a horse event, at the end of the season. The scheduling conflict forced the Bobcats to play their final four games on the road, virtually ending any playoff hopes. Following the season, Robert Johnson announced he was putting the team up for sale.
Gerald Henderson
Gerald Henderson, Jr.
Jerome McKinley "Gerald" Henderson, Jr. is an American basketball player who was drafted 12th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Bobcats of the National Basketball Association...
from Duke
Duke Blue Devils men's basketball
The Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team is the college basketball program representing Duke University in the Atlantic Coast Conference of NCAA Division I...
was chosen with the 12th pick by the Bobcats in the 2009 NBA Draft
2009 NBA Draft
The 2009 NBA Draft was held on June 25, 2009, the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
. The Bobcats traded Emeka Okafor
Emeka Okafor
Chukwuemeka Ndubuisi Okafor, abbreviated as Emeka Okafor , is an American basketball power forward and center for the New Orleans Hornets of the National Basketball Association. Prior to the NBA, Okafor attended Houston's Bellaire High School, and the University of Connecticut.-Early life:Okafor...
for New Orleans Hornets center Tyson Chandler
Tyson Chandler
Tyson Cleotis Chandler is an American professional basketball center who most recently played for the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA. He was also a member of the United States men's national basketball team.-High school:...
, and through more trades acquired Stephen Jackson
Stephen Jackson
Stephen Jesse Jackson is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks. Jackson is a 6'8" guard-forward.-Early life, high school, and college:Jackson was born in Houston and grew up in Port Arthur, Texas...
and Acie Law from the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. On February 27, 2010, it was announced that Robert Johnson had decided to sell the team to Michael Jordan, allowing Jordan to become the first former NBA player to become majority owner of a franchise. The Bobcats played their best basketball yet, finishing the 2009–10 season with an overall record of 44–38, the team's first-ever winning record and good enough for the first playoff berth
2010 NBA Playoffs
The 2010 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2009–10 season. The playoffs started on April 17, 2010 with ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
in franchise history. Additionally, Gerald Wallace became the first player from the Bobcats to become an NBA All-Star
NBA All-Star
NBA All-Star may refer to:*NBA All-Star Weekend*NBA All-Star Game*List of NBA All-Stars, players who have been selected to play in the NBA All-Star Game...
. However, in the first round of the playoffs, the Bobcats were swept by the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
, quickly ending their season.
2010–present: The Paul Silas/Michael Jordan era
The Bobcats began the 2010–11 season2010–11 Charlotte Bobcats season
The 2010–11 Charlotte Bobcats season was the 7th season of the Charlotte Bobcats in the National Basketball Association .-Key dates:*June 24: The 2010 NBA Draft took place in New York City, New York.*July 1 - The free agency period begun....
with high hopes following their success the previous season. In a victory over the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
, Stephen Jackson recorded the first triple-double in franchise history. However, the Bobcats struggled early during the season, and on December 22, 2010, following a dismal 9–19 start, Michael Jordan announced that Larry Brown had stepped down as the Bobcats Head Coach; that same day, veteran coach Paul Silas
Paul Silas
Paul Theron Silas is a retired American professional basketball player and current head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats. He attended Creighton University, where he set an NCAA record for the most rebounds in three seasons and averaged 20.6 rebounds per game in 1963...
was hired as their new Head Coach. On February 24, 2011, the day of the NBA trade deadline, the Bobcats made some moves to clear up some cap space as they prepare for the much anticipated elite free agent class of 2012. The Bobcats sent former all-star forward Gerald Wallace
Gerald Wallace
Gerald Jermaine Wallace is an American professional basketball forward for the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA.- High school :Wallace attended Childersburg High School in Childersburg, Alabama, where he had a very successful career...
to the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
for two first round draft picks, Joel Przybilla
Joel Przybilla
Joel Przybilla is an American professional basketball player. A 7'1" center, he last played for the Charlotte Bobcats in the NBA.- High school career :...
, Sean Marks
Sean Marks
Sean Andrew Marks is a New Zealand-American professional basketball player. He is the first native New Zealander to play in the NBA.-Basketball career:...
, and Dante Cunningham
Dante Cunningham
Dante Cunningham is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Charlotte Bobcats. Dante was drafted in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA...
. They also sent veteran center Nazr Mohammed
Nazr Mohammed
Nazr Tahiru Mohammed [NAW-zee] is an American professional basketball player with the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder. He plays the center position. He is 6 ft 10 in and 250 lb...
to the Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are a professional basketball franchise based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ; their home court is at Chesapeake Energy Arena....
for DJ White and Mo Peterson. Going down the stretch, injuries killed any chances of Charlotte trying to catch the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
for the eighth spot in the east; the key injuries included Stephen Jackson
Stephen Jackson
Stephen Jesse Jackson is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks. Jackson is a 6'8" guard-forward.-Early life, high school, and college:Jackson was born in Houston and grew up in Port Arthur, Texas...
and Tyrus Thomas
Tyrus Thomas
Tyrus Wayne Thomas is an American professional basketball player who played one season of college basketball at Louisiana State University and is a member of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats.-High school career:...
. In the end, the Bobcats finished the season with a 34–48, finishing 25–29 under Paul Silas.
Head coaches
| Name | Start | End | Totals | Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bernie Bickerstaff Bernie Bickerstaff Bernard Tyrone "Bernie" Bickerstaff is an assistant coach for the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. Prior to the Trail Blazers, Bickerstaff was an assistant for the Chicago Bulls and Executive Vice President of the Charlotte Bobcats... |
October 16, 2004 | March 13, 2007 | 246 | 77 | 169 | 246 | 77 | 169 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Sam Vincent Sam Vincent (basketball) James Samuel "Sam" Vincent is a retired American professional basketball player and the former head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats. In 2008 Sam was named the head coach of the Anaheim Arsenal of the NBA Developmental league.Vincent won the State of Michigan "Mr. Basketball" award in 1981, the... |
May 25, 2007 | April 26, 2008 | 82 | 32 | 50 | 82 | 32 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Larry Brown Larry Brown (basketball) Lawrence Harvey "Larry" Brown is an American basketball coach and former player. He most recently served as head coach of the National Basketball Association's Charlotte Bobcats.... |
April 29, 2008 | December 22, 2010 | 196 | 88 | 108 | 192 | 88 | 104 | 4 | 0 | 4 | |||
| Paul Silas Paul Silas Paul Theron Silas is a retired American professional basketball player and current head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats. He attended Creighton University, where he set an NCAA record for the most rebounds in three seasons and averaged 20.6 rebounds per game in 1963... |
December 22, 2010 | Incumbent | 54 | 25 | 29 | 54 | 25 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
Uniforms
Until 2009, home jerseysJersey (clothing)
A jersey is an item of knitted clothing, traditionally in wool or cotton, with sleeves, worn as a pullover, as it does not open at the front, unlike a cardigan. It is usually close-fitting and machine knitted in contrast to a guernsey that is more often hand knit with a thicker yarn...
have been white, reading "Bobcats" in orange with blue and black trimming. The primary away jersey was orange reading "Charlotte" in white with blue and black trimming. In the 2006 offseason, the Bobcats announced a new alternate away jersey which debuted during the 2006–07 season. The alternate jersey is blue and read reads "Bobcats" in white with black, orange and white trimming. Racing Day blue alternates are used to honor Charlotte's NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
fanbase.
For the 2009–10 season, the Bobcats redesigned their uniforms, which have a mixture of characteristics from the old Charlotte Hornets and the Bobcats uniforms. The home uniforms are white and features an arched "Bobcats" in blue with orange and white trim. Road uniforms are blue and features the arched "Charlotte" in white with blue and orange trim. Both designs feature silver pinstripes, similar to what the Hornets have worn for most of their existence. The NASCAR alternates were also updated to include the pinstripes.
Arenas
- Charlotte ColiseumCharlotte ColiseumThe Charlotte Coliseum was a multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was operated by the Charlotte Coliseum Authority, which also oversees the operation of Bojangles' Coliseum, the Charlotte Convention Center, and Ovens Auditorium...
(2004–2005) - Time Warner Cable Arena (2005–present), known as Charlotte Bobcats Arena (2005–2008)
During their first season, the Bobcats played their home games at the Charlotte Coliseum
Charlotte Coliseum
The Charlotte Coliseum was a multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was operated by the Charlotte Coliseum Authority, which also oversees the operation of Bojangles' Coliseum, the Charlotte Convention Center, and Ovens Auditorium...
,MNM, while their new arena (the Charlotte Bobcats Arena) was being built. After its completion, the city closed the old Coliseum in the 2005 offseason and opened the new arena with a Rolling Stones concert.
In April 2008, the Bobcats reached a naming rights
Naming rights
In the private sector, naming rights are a financial transaction whereby a corporation or other entity purchases the right to name a facility, typically for a defined period of time. For properties like a multi-purpose arena, performing arts venue or an athletic field, the term ranges from three...
deal with Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable is an American cable television company that operates in 28 states and has 31 operating divisions...
, the Charlotte area's largest cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
provider. In exchange for the naming rights, Time Warner agreed to tear up the cable television deal that had limited the Bobcats' exposure over the team's first four years.
Individual awards
Rookie of the YearNBA Rookie of the Year Award
The National Basketball Association's Rookie of the Year Award is an annual National Basketball Association award given since the 1952–53 NBA season, to the top rookie of the regular season. The winner receives the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy, which is named in honor of the Philadelphia Warriors head...
- Emeka OkaforEmeka OkaforChukwuemeka Ndubuisi Okafor, abbreviated as Emeka Okafor , is an American basketball power forward and center for the New Orleans Hornets of the National Basketball Association. Prior to the NBA, Okafor attended Houston's Bellaire High School, and the University of Connecticut.-Early life:Okafor...
– 2005
NBA All-Rookie First Team
NBA All-Rookie Team
The NBA All-Rookie Team is an annual National Basketball Association honor given since the 1962–63 NBA season to the top rookies during the regular season. Voting is conducted by the NBA head coaches; who are not allowed to vote for players on their own team. The All-Rookie Team is generally...
- Emeka OkaforEmeka OkaforChukwuemeka Ndubuisi Okafor, abbreviated as Emeka Okafor , is an American basketball power forward and center for the New Orleans Hornets of the National Basketball Association. Prior to the NBA, Okafor attended Houston's Bellaire High School, and the University of Connecticut.-Early life:Okafor...
– 2005
NBA All-Rookie Second Team
NBA All-Rookie Team
The NBA All-Rookie Team is an annual National Basketball Association honor given since the 1962–63 NBA season to the top rookies during the regular season. Voting is conducted by the NBA head coaches; who are not allowed to vote for players on their own team. The All-Rookie Team is generally...
- Raymond FeltonRaymond FeltonRaymond Bernard Felton, Jr. is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association . A point guard, Felton is listed at 6'1 and 205 lbs. Felton played college basketball for the North Carolina under head coach Roy...
– 2006 - Wálter HerrmannWálter HerrmannWalter Herrmann Heinrich is an Argentine professional basketball player. He is listed at 6'9" and 225 lbs. He was a key member of the Argentinian national basketball team that won the gold medal during the 2004 Olympic Basketball Tournament...
– 2007 - Adam MorrisonAdam MorrisonAdam John Morrison is an American basketball player who is currently free agent after being released from KK Crvena zvezda....
– 2007 - D. J. AugustinD. J. AugustinDarryl Gerard "D. J." Augustin, Jr. is an American professional basketball player. He played point guard for the University of Texas Longhorns from 2006–2008. He was drafted ninth overall by the Charlotte Bobcats of the National Basketball Association in 2008...
– 20092008–09 NBA seasonThe 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
NBA All-Defensive First Team
NBA All-Defensive Team
The NBA All-Defensive Team is an annual National Basketball Association honor given since the 1968–69 NBA season to the best defensive players during the regular season. Voting is conducted by the NBA head coaches; the coaches are not allowed to vote for players on their own team...
- Gerald WallaceGerald WallaceGerald Jermaine Wallace is an American professional basketball forward for the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA.- High school :Wallace attended Childersburg High School in Childersburg, Alabama, where he had a very successful career...
– 2010
NBA All-Star Weekend
NBA All-Star Weekend
The National Basketball Association holds an All-Star Weekend every February, the festival has a variety of basketball-related events, exhibitions, and performances culminating in the NBA All-Star Game held on Sunday night.-The All-Star Game:...
- Gerald WallaceGerald WallaceGerald Jermaine Wallace is an American professional basketball forward for the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA.- High school :Wallace attended Childersburg High School in Childersburg, Alabama, where he had a very successful career...
– 2010
Media coverage
For the Bobcats' first season, Johnson partnered with Time Warner to create Carolinas Sports Entertainment Television (C-SET), a regional sports networkRegional sports network
In the United States of America and Canada, a regional sports network, or RSN, is a cable television station that presents sports programming to a local market. The most important programming on an RSN consists of live broadcasts of professional and college sporting events, as those games generate...
. It aired 60 Bobcats games that also aired on Comporium Cable
Comporium Communications
Comporium Communications formerly The Rock Hill Telephone Company is a local telephone, internet, cable and home security provider that centrally operates in York and Lancaster counties in the north-central section of South Carolina...
in the South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
portion of the Charlotte market. However, Time Warner placed C-SET on its digital package
Digital cable
Digital cable is a generic term for any type of cable television distribution using digital video compression or distribution. The technology was originally developed by Motorola.-Background:...
as an incentive to try to get customers to switch to its digital service, leaving analog customers in the dark. It also refused to allow DirecTV
DirecTV
DirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
or Dish Network
Dish Network
Dish Network Corporation is the second largest pay TV provider in the United States, providing direct broadcast satellite service—including satellite television, audio programming, and interactive television services—to 14.337 million commercial and residential customers in the United States. Dish...
to pick up the network on their local feeds. As a result, most of the western Carolinas
Western North Carolina
Western North Carolina is the region of North Carolina which includes the Appalachian Mountains, thus it is often known geographically as the state's Mountain Region. It is sometimes included with upstate South Carolina as the "Western Carolinas", which is also counted as a single media market...
and those without digital cable were left to rely on radio coverage.
C-SET folded on the day of the 2005 NBA Draft, and most games then moved to News 14 Carolina
News 14 Carolina
News 14 Carolina is a 24-hour cable news service offered in North Carolina, USA, by Time Warner Cable on its cable TV systems in the state. There are News 14 Carolina television channels in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, and Wilmington each primarily with local news but some local programming...
, a cable news channel available on Time Warner Cable's systems in Charlotte, the Triad
Piedmont Triad
The Piedmont Triad, or Triad, is a north-central region of the U.S. state of North Carolina that consists of the area within and surrounding the three major cities of Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point. This close group or "triad" of cities lies in the Piedmont geographical region of the...
and the Triangle. However, this left viewers in most of South Carolina (except for the South Carolina side of the Charlotte area, which saw games on Comporium) as well as eastern
Eastern North Carolina
Eastern North Carolina is the region encompassing the eastern tier of North Carolina. It is known geographically as the state's Coastal Plain region. Primary subregions of Eastern North Carolina include the Fayetteville Metropolitan Area, the Lower Cape Fear , the Sandhills, the Inner Banks and...
and western North Carolina, out in the cold. News 14 was also not available on satellite.
As part of the Time Warner Cable Arena deal, the Bobcats signed over broadcasting rights to Fox Sports South. Starting with the last five games of the 2007-08 season, about 70 games per season have been shown on Fox Sports Carolinas (Fox Sports South's new regional feed) and sister network SportSouth
SportSouth
SportSouth is a regional sports network in the United States, with its headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. SportSouth, formerly Turner South, relaunched on October 13, 2006...
in North and South Carolina. The deal is believed to be the first simultaneous naming rights/broadcast rights deal in the history of North American professional sports.
Select games also air on a network of over-the-air stations across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, fronted by WMYT-TV
WMYT-TV
WMYT-TV is the MyNetworkTV-affiliate in Charlotte, North Carolina. It broadcasts on digital channel 39 and virtual channel 55. Its branding refers to its position on channel 12 on Charlotte area cable systems. It is owned by Capitol Broadcasting Company along with WJZY...
in Charlotte.
The flagship station for radio coverage is WFNZ
WFNZ
WFNZ "610 AM The Fan" is a Sports Talk format radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina.-History:WFNZ signed on in 1941 as WAYS . For much of the 1960s through early 1980s, it was Charlotte's top-rated Top 40 station under the moniker "61 Big Ways." The morning show was aired on both WAYS and...
, Charlotte's all-sports radio station. Before 2009-10, games had aired on WOLS
WOLS
WOLS is a Spanish language FM radio station broadcasting at a frequency of 106.1 MHz serving the Charlotte, North Carolina market. Its programming consists of music and other material distributed by "La Raza," the Regional Mexican radio network....
. WOLS switched its non-sports programming from Oldies
Oldies
Oldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
to Spanish language on January 1, 2009, making Bobcats and Duke basketball the station's only non-Spanish language programming.
External links
- Charlotte Observer Bobcats
- Inside the NBA – Rick Bonnell's Bobcats blog for the Charlotte Observer
- Bobcats Planet – Fan website
- Charlotte's Basketball All Stars - All Star Selections for Charlotte Teams
- Queen City Sports Blog--Professional and College Sports Analysis and Commentary, from the Queen City, Charlotte, NC.