2011-12 Media Guide (PDF) - NBA.com

PLAYOFFS RECORDS 10-11 REVIEW PLAYERS BBALL OPS FRONT OFFICE
HISTORY
NBA
MISC.
152
KEY DATES IN BOBCATS HISTORY
December 18, 2002 The NBA Expansion Committee unanimously recommends that the NBA Board of Governors approve
an expansion franchise for the city of Charlotte, to be owned and operated by Robert L. Johnson.
2011-12 CHARLOTTE BOBCATS MEDIA GUIDE
2002
2003
January 7, 2003 Ed Tapscott is hired as the organization’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Tapscott
oversees the business and basketball operations for both the Charlotte NBA franchise and the WNBA’s
Charlotte Sting.
January 10, 2003 The NBA Board of Governors unanimously approves the granting of an expansion team to Charlotte to be
owned by Robert L. Johnson. Johnson also immediately takes over ownership of the WNBA’s Charlotte Sting.
January 13, 2003 Robert L. Johnson endorses agreements negotiated between the NBA and the city of Charlotte for the
development and operation of the city’s new basketball arena.
May 5, 2003 Sports Illustrated names Robert L. Johnson #1 on its list of 101 Most Influential Minorities in Sports.
On the same list, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Ed Tapscott ranked #56.
May 6, 2003 The Charlotte NBA expansion franchise narrows the choice for the team’s nickname to three finalists.
The Bobcats, Dragons and Flight are chosen out of approximately 1,250 suggestions submitted to the team
and the Charlotte Regional Sports Commission.
May 15, 2003 Robert L. Johnson donates $1 million to benefit the West Boulevard YMCA. The donation will be used for a new
YMCA on the corner of Donald Ross Road and West Boulevard to aid citizens of West Corridor.
June 11, 2003 At a street festival at Trade and Tryon Streets that attracts an overflow crowd of 7,000 fans, the Charlotte NBA
expansion franchise unveils Bobcats as the team nickname, while also revealing the new logo and color
scheme that includes orange as the primary color. Robert L. Johnson is joined by Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory
and NBA Commissioner David Stern.
June 19, 2003 Charlotte resident Cary Mitchell, a nationally-recognized custom clothing designer, will serve as a consultant
on the design of the Bobcats’ uniform. Mitchell, who is active in the Charlotte community, will donate his
fee to area charities.
July 29, 2003 Official groundblasting for the new Charlotte Bobcats Arena takes place on the arena site with 5,000 spectators
in attendance. Robert L. Johnson, Mayor Pat McCrory, members of the Charlotte City Council, the Charlotte
Coliseum Authority and the entire Charlotte Sting team join with an array of family, show characters and other
live event industry performers for the ceremony and festival. The Bobcats will operate the new facility.
August 1, 2003 The Bobcats initiate a program that provides former Hornets season ticket holders with first priority to purchase
Bobcats season tickets before the general public. Those who had season tickets in 2001-02 can reclaim their
exact seat locations for the Bobcats’ inaugural 2004-05 season in the Charlotte Coliseum.
August 27, 2003 The Bobcats announce that all season ticket holders who purchase Bobcats season tickets for the first five
seasons will obtain a FREE Seat License for each seat subscribed.
September 15, 2003 An influential group of local Charlotte investors joins majority owner Robert L. Johnson as minority partners
in Bobcats Basketball Holdings, LLC, the ownership group of the Charlotte Bobcats and the Charlotte Sting.
Investor principles include: Bank of America Corporation; Wachovia Corporation; Skipper Beck; M. L. Carr;
Howard Levine; Hugh McColl, Jr.; Felix Sabates; Nelson Schwab III; Anderson Warlick; Ed Weisiger, Jr.; and
Professional Sports Investment Group led by managing partners Rev. Claude Alexander and Dr. Spurgeon
Webber III.
October 16, 2003 Bernie Bickerstaff is hired in a dual role as the Bobcats’ General Manager and Head Coach. In conjunction with
that announcement, the team introduces the basketball operations staff: Karl Hicks, Assistant General Manager;
Gary Brokaw, Director of Player Personnel; Tim Shea, Director of International Scouting; Kenny Williamson,
Director of Scouting; and Frank Ross, scout.
November 1, 2003 Season tickets for the 2004-05 season go on sale to the general public at the Charlotte Coliseum. At the event,
the Bobcats also unveil their new team mascot – an orange bobcat with sunglasses, a black button-down
jersey, denim shorts and blue high-top basketball sneakers.
November 17, 2003 The NBA announces the divisional alignment for competition when the Bobcats join for the 2004-05 season.
Charlotte will be in the Southeast Division with Atlanta, Miami, Orlando and Washington. With 30 teams,
the NBA will consist of six, five-team divisions that will be divided into two, 15-team conferences.
December 13, 2003 Rufus is selected as the name for the team’s new mascot in an announcement at Belk in SouthPark Mall.
Rufus was overwhelmingly the fan favorite in online voting on BobcatsBasketball.com.
2004
January 29, 2004 The Expansion Selection date is announced by the NBA. The Bobcats will select players on June 22, 2004
and will receive unprotected lists from the 29 existing NBA teams on June 11, 2004.
February 19, 2004 The Bobcats form a new philanthropic initiative by creating the Bobcats Charitable Foundation. The mission
will be to enrich the quality of life for those in need – with a focus on children and youth – and build bridges
between communities. The Foundation will support organizations serving children and youth with an emphasis
on fitness and wellness, literacy and exposure to the arts.