2014 NBA All Star Game will be awarded to NOLA today! This continues the string of major events in NOLA, and the positive national exposure! Plus the article mentions the two-off-season renovations to the Arena for which "Architectural teams are still working on design plans for Arena modifications, aimed at helping the Hornets to generate additional revenues on their own to alleviate the state's burden of providing financial subsidies."
Plus, several articles mention Tom Benson wanting to rename/rebrand the Hornets to give them a more local name.