NEW ORLEANS HORNETS RANKED THIRD-BEST TEAM OUT OF ALL 122 PROFESSIONAL SPORTS FRANCHISES ACCORDING TO ESPN THE MAGAZINE’S 2008 ULTIMATE STANDINGS LIST

April 24, 2008

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that ESPN the Magazine’s 2008 Ultimate Standings list ranked the Hornets as the third best team out of 122 NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB franchises. The Hornets were also ranked the number two team in the NBA.

These mark the highest rankings the Hornets have ever received in ESPN the Magazine’s Ultimate Standings list since its debut in 2003.

“The New Orleans Hornets have overcome unprecedented obstacles and have exceeded expectations on and off the court this season,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “Under owner George Shinn's leadership, the Hornets organization's efforts have been extraordinary in capturing fan excitement and demonstrating the team's commitment to the community and to the revitalization of New Orleans. The team's achievement on the court, led by Byron Scott and Jeff Bower, and success off the court, under the guidance of Hugh Weber and Chad Shinn, have dramatically improved the prospects for the Hornets in New Orleans on a long-term basis. It is with great pride that we recognize the Hornets for the unwavering commitment to a successful return to the city and for being ranked the third-best team among all major professional sports teams."

The Hornets received top rankings overall in the “Bang for the Buck” category which measures how efficiently teams convert revenue dollars from fans into on-field wins. The team was also number one in the “Affordability” category, which considers the price of tickets, parking and concessions as part of the overall fan experience.

“Our organization is committed to championship performance on and off the court, and I am extremely proud that the fans recognize our hard work and dedication to being the best,” said Hornets Owner George Shinn. “Our fans are excited about our team, and we are committed to continually prove our passion, purpose and pride for rebuilding the city of New Orleans and maintaining a winning culture.”

To gather this year’s data, analysis was conducted by marketing consulting firm Markitecture to determine what fans wanted most in return from their favorite professional sports teams. ESPN the Magazine then surveyed more than 80,000 fans through ESPN.com, and combined with financial data analysis from the Warsaw Sports Management Center at the University of Oregon, The Magazine listed its comprehensive ranking of all 122 major North American professional sports franchises.

Out of all professional sports franchises, the Indianapolis Colts were ranked number one in fan satisfaction, followed by the San Antonio Spurs at number two and the Hornets at the third spot.