Bobcats, Dragons, Flight

Charlotte announces final choices for team name

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Charlotte's new NBA mascot could be a tribute to the team's owner: "Bobcats" is one of three finalists for the name of Bob Johnson's expansion franchise.

Other finalists announced Tuesday by the team are "Dragons" and "Flight."

A winner is to be announced next month after feedback from the public. However, Johnson, who paid $300 million for the expansion team, will make the final decision.

"The names represent three distinct directions we could take as we move into the final stage of development," team spokesman Chris Weiller said.

"Bobcats" would be a nod to Johnson and would continue the feline theme established by Charlotte's other pro team, the NFL Panthers.

"Flight" would link to North Carolina's status as "First in Flight," a legend also found on the state's license plates. This year marks the centennial of Wilbur and Orville Wright's first airplane flight on North Carolina's Outer Banks.

"Dragons" has no obvious local link.

The team is to begin play in 2004-05, taking the place of the Hornets, who moved to New Orleans last year.

The team will play one season at the Charlotte Coliseum, then move into an arena being built in downtown Charlotte.

The three finalists for the team name were whittled down from a list of nearly 1,200 suggestions the team received from the community. Johnson's group used several focus groups and spent nearly $100,000 researching the names and their trademark status and designing possible logos, Weiller said.

Team officials cut the list to 10 to 12 names, then matched names with potential colors, graphic designs and mascots.

Johnson has hired Chicago's NVU Productions to help develop the logos.

Black is believed to be a frontrunner to be the team's primary color.

It is not unprecedented for pro sports teams to be named in tribute to their owner. The NFL's Cleveland Browns were named for owner Paul Brown.

 

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