NBA officially approves Bobcats name change to Hornets

Although Bobcats chairman Michael Jordan announced the future franchise rebranding months ago, the official decision from the powers that be was made today permitting the proposed name change to the Charlotte Hornets.

The NBA's Board of Governors announced at a press conference Thursday night shortly after the Bobcats' Summer League victory over the Memphis Grizzlies that they would indeed allow the team to rebrand for the 2014-15 season, dropping the Bobcats moniker in favor of the Hornets.

The move was an expected one, just necessary for purposes of order within the association requiring a vote from the other 29 team majority owners.

The Bobcats/future Hornets prepared for celebration planning a Hornets-themed 'Alive After Five' night at the Epicentre in uptown Charlotte, featuring former Hornets Muggsy Bogues, Rex Chapman, Dell Curry, Kendall Gill and Kelly Tripucka in attendance.

And so it shall be: the Charlotte Bobcats will be the Charlotte Hornets within a year.