CHARLOTTE, May 2 -- A little more than five weeks after joining the Vancouver Grizzlies in applying to the NBA for relocation to Memphis, the Charlotte Hornets have decided to stay put.
Hornets co-owner George Shinn announced Wednesday the team has withdrawn its application for relocation to the nation's 40th-largest media market.
It helped that the Hornets revitalized the community with a stunning three-game sweep of the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs. Charlotte ended the series with a 94-79 win before a sellout crowd last Friday.
"We applaud the level of support for the Hornets in the first round of the playoffs," Shinn said. "On behalf of (general manager) Bob Bass, coach Paul Silas and the Hornets players, we can say that it was extremely gratifying to again witness the passion that this community has for the team and the sport of basketball."
The Hornets have been trying to win voter approval for a new arena and this playoff run could go a long way toward getting it.
Hornets co-owner Ray Wooldridge has expressed confidence an agreement can be hammered out. A referendum on a $352 million funding package that includes a $215 million arena tentatively is scheduled for June 5.
Charlotte will meet the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Charlotte's withdrawal leaves Vancouver as the only team seeking to relocate to Memphis.
A relocation committee is evaluating Vancouver's bid and a recommendation will be submitted to the league's Board of Governors by the end of July.
Approval from the board would pave the way for the first move by an NBA franchise since the Kings relocated from Kansas City, Missouri to Sacramento in 1985.
