It is now in the same league as New York and Los Angeles. The Hornets begin their first season in beautiful Charlotte Coliseum with a 40-point loss and end it with a parade. No city could love a team more. But in the second season, the newness begins to wear off, and the owner, once loved, begins to wear on the city. He threatens to move the team to South Carolina.
Losses become predictable, and the love affair between the town and team begins to fade.
Then the Hornets become exciting and make the playoffs and the affair is resumed. Alas, the success came so early and so easily the city assumed it would be permanent, and when it is not, fans turn away. The owner is discredited, stars leave for betting paying jobs and interest dips so low not even 10,000 fans show for the final playoff game of 2000. Meanwhile, the Coliseum, like the team, gets old fast. The Hornets need a new arena, and say if they don't get one, they'll leave town.