New Orleans team to call Oklahoma home

NEW YORK - The New Orleans Hornets, whose home arena was damaged by Hurricane Katrina, will play 35 regular-season National Basketball League games in Oklahoma City.

The Hornets will also play six home games at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, NBA commissioner Dave Stern announced today.

"The devastation of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region has made it necessary for the Hornets to move to a temporary location for the upcoming season," Stern said.

"Fortunately, the Hornets have received a gracious invitation from Mayor Mick Cornett and the business leaders and citizens of Oklahoma City to play their home games in the Ford Center, a first-class facility that we hope to fill with new Hornets fans this season."

- REUTERS