Whereas, the Charlotte Hornets basketball team sponsored pre-game invocations by local clergy and laymen/women before games from 1988-2002;

Whereas, the Charlotte Hornets led the National Basketball Association (NBA) in attendance for many of these 12 seasons;

Whereas, the Hornets continued to sponsor pre-game invocations after the team moved to New Orleans. Only after the team was sold to the NBA in 2010 was this regular invocation stopped;

Whereas, when Katrina hit New Orleans and the Hornets played in Oklahoma City in 2005-07, they took the pre-game invocation tradition to that city;

Whereas, today, the very popular Oklahoma City Thunder (the successor to the Hornets NBA experience) and the Carolina Panthers remain as the only two professional teams to sponsor pre-game invocations;

Whereas, the Carolinas are home to many die-hard former Hornets fans who wish to see many of the previous traditions return. Many of these fans spent 14 years attending Charlotte Hornets' games that featured pre-game invocations. Now that the team's name will once again be the Hornets, we petition the team to reinstate the pregame invocation. Many former Hornets fans have a strong belief in God and prayer;

Whereas, a pre-game invocation provides a minimum of 42 home games a year to acknowledge our Creator and show gratitude for our blessings;

Be it therefore resolved: all who sign below humbly and sincerely request the owners of the Charlotte Hornets basketball team to once again sponsor a pre-game invocation by a Carolinas-based clergy or layman (women) of a recognized denomination not to exceed 180 seconds. While the NBA may object or discourage this practice, the Charlotte Hornets should follow the lead and format of the NBA Oklahoma City Thunder and the NFL Carolina Panthers and insist on sponsoring this practice. The Charlotte Hornets should closely follow the policies and procedures that the Carolina Panthers have in place for their pre-game invocation.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/28/sports/basketball/praying-for-the-home-team-in-oklahoma-city.html?_r=0