USA - Home for the Hornets will be New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS (NBA) - The New Orleans Hornets will return to the Crescent City full-time next season after two years away in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The Hornets have played the bulk of their games in Oklahoma City since Katrina struck in August 2005, devastating New Orleans and huge areas of Louisiana.

While the NFL’s Saints were able to return to the Superdome after one season away, getting things in place for the Hornets has taken rather longer, and the team has been restricted to a handful of games at the New Orleans Arena this campaign.

But with a vital new sponsorship deal in place, owner George Shinn was able to allow an option for a third year in Oklahoma City to lapse on Wednesday, signalling the return of the Hornets to New Orleans on a permanent basis.

"We had to get a little insurance policy in case who knows what's going to happen," Shinn said in the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "The intent was never to use it unless something catastrophic or bad happens. We didn't exercise the option because everything is fine. We have announced that we're going back, and that's the plan."

The Hornets were a success in their temporary home, attracting sell-out crowds at the Ford Center. That has prompted speculation that the city may seek an NBA franchise in the future - particularly with the troubled Seattle SuperSonics now in the hands of Oklahoma City businessmen.

But the deal with the Hornets was always intended to be temporary - and that goes for both sides.

"It was a temporary relocation, while New Orleans got into a recovery position," said Tom Anderson, special project manager for Oklahoma City’s manager office.

"New Orleans Arena is ready for basketball, and I think it's an exciting time for New Orleans. We've done what we've set out to do, making them ready to return, and we hope that they will succeed in New Orleans."

When the Hornets first left New Orleans, Shinn vowed to return and he has been unwavering in his position.

"I have met with my people, and we're putting all these things together, and I'm a committed person," Shinn said.

"I really believe if there's one person or one organization in this country that can make an NBA team go there, it's this organization. I've committed to my people that we're going full steam ahead, and I don't want anybody to come in and start putting negative energy, saying this thing is not going to work. We're going to bust our chops."

FIBA