New Orleans Pelicans Logo Revealed

The New Orleans Hornets will be changing their franchise name to the New Orleans Pelicans beginning next season. Louisiana is the Pelican State. The brown pelican is the state bird and appears on the state flag and seal, and official state painting.

“Establishing the New Orleans Pelicans is a process of building a basketball legacy for our community that entwines our team image with the best qualities of our community,” said Hornets Owner/Vice Chairman of the Board Rita Benson LeBlanc. “The Pelican is not only the state bird of Louisiana, but it is also representative of teamwork, the positive synergy of group dynamics and, as we’ve experienced recently here on the Gulf Coast region, regeneration.

The logo itself really isn’t that bad; we could all joke on how girly a pelican is; but at least it has a meaning. The franchise came to decide on the new mascot due to pelicans being the state bird for Louisiana, giving the team some ties to the state in which they play.

See additional logo versions below: