OKC Hornets

OKC HORNETS – THE STORM BEFORE THE THUNDER

Before there were the Thunder, before the Blue and Orange washed over the Paycom Center, there were the OKC Hornets—a team and a moment in history that changed everything.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, displacing thousands of families and disrupting every part of life—including professional sports. The New Orleans Hornets, unable to play in their home city, needed a temporary home. Oklahoma City stepped up.

With little time and no precedent, OKC welcomed the Hornets with open arms. The city rallied around them—not just as visitors, but as their team. For two unforgettable seasons (2005–06 and 2006–07), the Oklahoma City Hornets lit up the then-Ford Center, drawing sellout crowds and national attention. Fans packed the arena, filled the streets, and proved something that had never been tested: Oklahoma City was a true basketball town.

What began as a temporary solution became a turning point. The NBA took notice. The league had found a hidden gem of a market—passionate, energetic, and ready for a franchise of its own. Just a few years later, the Seattle SuperSonics would relocate to OKC, rebranding as the Oklahoma City Thunder. But that never would have happened without those two Hornets seasons. Without the storm, there would have been no spark.

And now, two decades later, we’ve seen the full story unfold: a city tested by tragedy, transformed by opportunity, and finally—crowned as champions. The 2025 NBA Championship didn’t start with Shai or Chet. It started with Chris Paul in a Hornets jersey. It started with Katrina. It started when Oklahoma City proved to the world—and to itself—that it was ready to carry a team, to build a legacy, and to make history.

About the Shirt:
This OKC Hornets tee is more than nostalgia. It’s a tribute to the origins of Thunder basketball—a moment that changed the city's future forever. Soft, breathable, and unisex, it's made for every fan who remembers where we came from and how far we've come.

• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton (Heather colors contain polyester)

• Fabric weight: 4.2 oz./yd² (142 g/m²)

• Pre-shrunk fabric

• Side-seamed construction

• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping

• Blank product sourced from Nicaragua, Mexico, Honduras, or the US

Why You Need This Shirt:
If you're a true Thunder fan, you owe everything to the OKC Hornets. This shirt isn’t just about basketball—it’s about resilience, gratitude, and the road to greatness. Male or female, young or old, if you bleed Thunder Blue, you honor the Hornets. Wear the story. Celebrate the journey. This is where champions were born.