Louisiana Purchase

The New Orleans Hornets long-time owner George Shinn has owned the franchise since its move from Charlotte in 2002. Shinn, at age 69, is diagnosed with cancer and reports claim that he is looking to move on from NBA ownership and focus on his faith, health, and the fight against cancer. No one can really get angry with him after those three reasons.

Since last spring, Shinn has been in talks with minority owner Gary Chouset, who owns 35% of the team already. However, the talks have since stalled, as Chouset is questioning his ability to manage an NBA franchise, while maintaining his oil business near the Gulf.

To make matters worse for the Hornets franchise, attendance for Hornets games at the New Orleans Arena has dipped to an all-time low with an average of 13,865 out of a possible 19,000. Although their contract lease extends until 2014, the Hornets and the Arena have the right to break the lease if attendance doesn't pick up.

Will the Hornets be relocating due to poor attendance? Will the Hornets have an owner at the end of the season or will they be owned by the NBA (for the first time in league history)? It is all very vague and uncertain, but one thing is clear: though guard Chris Paul is playing at an MVP-caliber level this year, catapulting his team as an elite team in the West, he certainly is not happy. Is his future in New Orleans still uncertain? Like every other question that surrounds the Hornets franchise, the answer is uncertain but situation is extremely frustrating.


- Leather Head