NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- New Orleans' NBA franchise is set to announce it is changing its nickname from the Hornets to the Pelicans, sources told Yahoo! Sports.
The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune reported the team scheduled a news conference for 3 p.m. EST Thursday, at which it was expected to make the announcement.
Yahoo! Sports reported in late 2012 the team had decided on Pelicans, the Louisiana state bird, for its new name. Club owner Tom Benson has owned the rights to the Pelicans nickname, as well as Rougarou, Mosquitos, Swamp Dogs and Bullsharks.
The new nickname, logo and colors -- blue, gold and red -- will be used during the 2013-14 season, Yahoo! Sports said.
The sports website said many Hornets fans and other NBA followers have expressed their displeasure with the choice of Pelicans as the new nickname.
