Bobcats get a new logo

[DJT]

Bobcats revamp marketing
for new season​

There will be a new marketing campaign -- with the slogan, "Elevate" -- new uniforms, a cleanly designed court and even a new secondary logo.

But, in a transaction that might have required the most persistence, the Charlotte Bobcats finally have the simplest of names for one of their most public portals. The team Web site, finally, has the domain name of www.bobcats.com.

The Bobcats, who used www.bobcatsbasketball.com through the first three years of their existence, recently purchased the rights from a domesticated bobcat breeder in rural Montana.

"It's called business," said Barbara Roe, owner of Bitterroot Bobcat and Lynx in Stevensville, a town of 1,500 people located in the Bitterroot Valley of western Montana. "It's what you do. If you have a business somebody wants, you capitalize on it."

Roe said her business had used Bobcats.com for 10 years. She started receiving e-mails from Bobcats team officials in 2004 -- the team's first season -- about purchasing the name.

"They began at a couple of thousand dollars, but they wouldn't meet my price," said Roe.

In February, the Bobcats finally met that price of "about" $50,000, according to Roe.

"I'm certainly not getting rich from it," Roe said. "But I figured if I could get that amount, I would."

Said Bobcats president Fred Whitfield: "We're glad to have it. We weren't trying to hold her up."

The newly named Web site will include a redesign to be revealed in the next few weeks. The ad campaign (the work of Charlotte agency Boone/Oakley) is part of an overall effort to market the face of the franchise: The team itself and players such as newly acquired Jason Richardson and star forward Gerald Wallace.

Whitfield would not say how much the team is spending on the campaign.

The Bobcats, who have cut ticket prices each of the past two seasons, ranked 27th of 30 NBA teams in attendance last season and still haven't made the playoffs.

"This is about us improving as a franchise -- on and off the floor," said Whitfield, who is in his second year with the team.

Whitfield said the team is concentrating on selling premium seats. He said all but three of Bobcats Arena's 60 luxury suites have been sold and seating on the floor -- going for $1,000 per game -- is sold out.

The playing floor now has a less cluttered, more traditional look. Uniforms will be more classic, with changes in the lettering font. The Bobcats' colors of orange-and-blue will make a gradual switch to blue-and-orange. The team will wear blue uniforms for 25 road games this season, moving to blue for all of its 41 away games for the 2008-09 season.

Whitfield said the Bobcats are also increasing their efforts in the community, including partnerships with Presbyterian Hospital, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

link: Charlotte Bobcats
Sweet 2nd logo I must say!!

 

[playmaker7]

I really like it. Its great. Growls at you

 

[Pugz]

It's pretty cool.
When can we see the new court and jersey's?

 

[bulls12]

that's stupid that they are only like 3 years old and they're already changing the court and logos and jerseys..

despite how cool it looks.

 

[RipCity32]

that's stupid that they are only like 3 years old and they're already changing the court and logos and jerseys..

despite how cool it looks.

Indeed to both comments.

 

[Mexi]

ok Rip and bulls12, this isnt their permanent logo, its their secondary logo...
no different from these:

so you guys could calm down...

The court design they had sucked anyways, so idc.
And the unis, well they werent the best either anyways...
and remember, new=money

 

[-Torres-]

I like it, it's a tight secondary logo

 

[Josh10_10]

Indeed to both comments.

Yeah that's how I feel too.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

They're not gonna get a new court because they have a new secondary logo, dummies.....

 

[Mexi]

They're not gonna get a new court because they have a new secondary logo, dummies.....

You obviously didnt read the article dummy < _<

There will be a new marketing campaign -- with the slogan, "Elevate" -- new uniforms, a cleanly designed court and even a new secondary logo.

The playing floor now has a less cluttered, more traditional look.

 

[DJT]

They're not gonna get a new court because they have a new secondary logo, dummies.....

yea what he said...read the article.

 

[Dice-J]

nice logo

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Really, because I read the article in the local newspaper saying the Bobcats will have the same arena design....

 

[$tunna]

the 2nd logo is alright I'm not really a fan of circles around animals in logos

 

[ATL08]

It looks like a freakin' house kitty...

Well, I can't say much about our second logo either...

 

[thilianwij]

i like that second logo

 

[Mexi]

-Yahoo! Sports

WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) -- Charlotte Bobcats forward Sean May will miss the season after deciding to undergo microfracture surgery on his troublesome right knee.

May will have the surgery Tuesday in New York. Recovery time will take six to 12 months.

"It's extremely frustrating," May said Friday in a phone interview.

May, the 13th pick in the 2005 draft, has played in only 58 of 164 games over the past two seasons. He had surgery to remove cartilage during his rookie season, then developed a bone bruise last year.

May said he had been cleared to play again three weeks ago, but had some swelling in the knee after workouts.

May underwent an MRI exam that revealed a troubling piece of cartilage in the knee. He missed the start of training camp to see a specialist in New York. Before seeking another opinion in Alabama, May decided to go under the knife.

"It came out of nowhere and that was probably the most shocking thing," May said. "I was on Cloud 9. I had finally just started to come back. And boom, I'm back to square one, sitting out again."

May's absence leaves the Bobcats extremely thin in the frontcourt. General manager Rod Higgins said they could sign a veteran big man. Marc Jackson, who played for New Orleans last season, is unsigned.

"It's a huge loss for us," Higgins said. "There are some free agents still out there. We've talked about a lot of guys. Marc Jackson is one of those names."

May's surgery will be performed by Dr. David Altchek in New York. May will be on crutches for six to eight weeks before beginning his rehabilitation.

"We are hopeful that his procedure will allow him to resume his career and be the player he wants to be," Bobcats team physician Glenn Perry said.

The procedure includes creating tiny holes in bones around the knee to try to stimulate cartilage growth. The surgery was once considered risky, but several football and basketball players have made successful recoveries in recent years.

No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden of the Portland Trail Blazers underwent microfracture surgery last month.

The 23-year-old May acknowledged the procedure concerns him.

"If I told you no I'd be lying," May said. "Anfernee Hardaway was out a couple of years. Darius Miles is just now starting to get back. Allan Houston. The only difference between me and those guys is they were a lot older. The older they are, the harder it is to come back from."

The 6-foot-9 May has averaged 10.4 points and 5.9 rebounds in his limited playing time, including a 32-point game against Orlando last season.

"I will be back," May said. "I'll be strong and I'll be fine. It's just going to take a year."

May's injury is one of several concerns for Charlotte up front. Forward Othella Harrington is out for the preseason after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. Center Primoz Brezec has yet to report camp to tend to a family matter, leaving Ryan Hollins as the current starting center.

May's absence will likely lead to more playing time for rookie Jared Dudley, the 22nd pick in the draft.

But coach Sam Vincent acknowledged he'd like another big man.

"It would help," Vincent said. "But wanting a veteran big and having to deal with the salary cap and all the other issues involved, is something management has to deal with."

Man, this guys always hurt. Its too bad he's out so long. Injury's are gonna cut his career short. I hope he gets a full recovery though

 

[VC3]

Again? This dude is always hurt. I'm so glad Nets didn't draft him back in 06. A shame he's always getting hurt.

 

[MapleLeaf]

Maybe he should loose some weight.

 

[bulls12]

poor 'Cats lose some support they could have used.