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At a press conference in New Orleans to announce the site of the 2014 NBA All-Star Game, commissioner David Stern said the nickname "Jazz" will be staying in Utah.

When new Hornets owner Tom Benson bought the franchise Friday for $338 million, he declared a name-change was in order. He wants something more closely connected with the city of New Orleans, leading to speculation he might be interested in re-acquiring the "Jazz" nickname.

The franchise moved from New Orleans to Utah in the summer of 1979.

On Monday afternoon, however, Stern said the "Jazz" nickname "... belongs to Utah. I wouldn't make it such an important point. There are many things that are indigenous to the area. I'm sure there will be some wonderful nicknames [suggestions]."

http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ssf/2012/04/nba_commissioner_david_stern_s_5.html


-- Steve Luhm

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