Hornets to Leave La.?

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu urged businesses and local residents to buy tickets to upcoming New Orleans Hornets games in the Mayor’s Parlor at Gallier Hall.

According to an attendance benchmark requirement that is in their lease agreement with the state, the Hornets can opt out at the end of the current NBA season if their average attendance from this season and last falls short of 14,735 by January 31, 2011.

"The big message is the future of the Hornets in the city of New Orleans is in our hands. We knew from the very beginning when the team came here, that it was important for people in LA to fully support them and to buy the tickets," stated Landrieu, "We have to continue to do that and now with the ownership of the team in play we have to do everything that we can to make sure that the Hornets remain a team for the state of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans I am fully confident that with the people in this room and the fan base that we are gonna be successful in making sure that the Hornets stay with us."

The NBA announced last week that it is purchasing the Hornets from majority owner George Shinn and his minority partner Gary Chouest. League commissioner David Stern stressed that he wants to find new local ownership to keep the team in New Orleans.