The Smoothie King Center arena in New Orleans, Louisiana is currently owned and operated by the New Orleans Pelicans basketball team franchise. The arena opened in 1999 and was originally known as New Orleans Arena until 2013 when it was renamed the Smoothie King Center after Smoothie King purchased the naming rights.
Original Construction and Early Years
The Smoothie King Center was constructed in 1999 at a cost of $114 million as a replacement for the aging Louisiana Superdome as the home arena for the then-New Orleans Hornets NBA team. The Hornets had relocated to New Orleans from Charlotte in 2002 after promising the city a new downtown arena. The state contributed $50 million to the project and the Hornets added another $30 million for the rights to operate the arena for 30 years. An additional $20 million came from the sale of personal seat licenses to season ticket holders. The remaining funds came from the city’s hotel/motel tax and other government sources.
The arena was designed by architect Arthur Q. Davis who incorporated characteristic elements of New Orleans architecture such as wrought iron grill work. The exterior of red brick and metal invoked the city’s warehouses and mills. The arena opened officially on October 19, 1999 with a performance by hometown musician Dr. John.
In the arena’s early years, it was home to the Hornets NBA team and also hosted concerts and other sporting events. Notable performers in the first few years included musicians like Elton John, Janet Jackson, and Britney Spears. The arena also hosted WWE wrestling events, tennis matches, and college basketball tournaments.
New Orleans Hornets Become Pelicans
In 2012, Saints owner Tom Benson purchased the New Orleans Hornets basketball team from the NBA for $338 million. As part of the purchase, Benson agreed to keep the team in New Orleans through 2024. Shortly after, in 2013, the franchise announced it was renaming itself the New Orleans Pelicans, adopting the state bird of Louisiana as its new mascot image.
This rebranding came with upgrades to the arena including a new center-hung scoreboard and installation of LED message boards and ribbon panels. As part of the agreement with the state for millions in financial incentives, Benson entered into a lease extension committing the Pelicans to stay in the arena through 2024. Additionally, the naming rights were sold to Louisiana-based Smoothie King in a 10-year deal reported at more than $40 million.
Notable Events
The Smoothie King Center has hosted many major sporting matches and tournaments in addition to Pelicans home games. These include:
- NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament games (2002, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2017)
- NBA All-Star Game (2008)
- SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament (2002, 2005, 2008, 2012)
- Swimming and diving events at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials (2008)
- NBA Draft (2003)
The arena has also hosted many big name musicians over the years including:
- U2
- Eagles
- George Strait
- Taylor Swift
- Beyonce
- Bruno Mars
- Drake
- Andrea Bocelli
Other events at the arena have included professional bull riding competitions, WWE wrestling, Disney on Ice shows, and graduation ceremonies.
Hurricane Katrina and Reopening
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and caused major damage to the Smoothie King Center. Several feet of flood waters submerged the arena floor and lower levels. Wind and water infiltration damaged electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems. The total repair bill exceeded $100 million.
The Hornets franchise temporarily relocated to Oklahoma City for two seasons while the arena was repaired and renovated. The team returned for the 2007-2008 season and the arena officially reopened on October 31, 2007 with a performance by recording artists Bon Jovi. The reopening coincided with the city’s slow revival following the hurricane and subsequent flooding.
Recent Upgrades and Improvements
In recent years, the Pelicans ownership has invested millions into upgrades aimed at improving the fan experience and attracting more major events. These improvements have included:
- A $50 million major renovation completed in 2018 that updated suites, installed new club seats with drink rails, upgraded concession stands and kitchen facilities, and improved wiring for WiFi.
- Installation of a 360-degree center hung video screen and upgraded LED ribbon boards in 2020 estimated at $3-4 million.
- Ongoing investments into keeping the arena up-to-date including renovated locker rooms and player facilities.
The various upgrades have helped solidify the arena’s reputation as one of the NBA’s better venues according to surveys of players, coaches and executives.
Future Outlook
The Smoothie King Center’s lease currently runs through 2024, with the Pelicans having the option for a 10-year extension through 2034. While there were discussions in prior years of the team seeking public funding for a new downtown arena, the recent investments and improvements have quieted that talk for the time being.
Benson has stated the team is committed to the current arena, which is now considered an upper tier NBA venue following the renovations. The arena’s downtown location also remains attractive for drawing fans from New Orleans and the surrounding metro area.
With no signs of the Pelicans seeking alternate plans, the Smoothie King Center appears poised to remain the team’s home court for at least the next decade if not longer. The venue will continue hosting Pelicans games, concerts, college basketball tournaments and other major events that benefit from its prime location in downtown New Orleans.
Ownership Summary
In summary:
- The arena first opened in 1999 as New Orleans Arena, purpose-built for the Hornets NBA team.
- It was renamed Smoothie King Center in 2013 when the naming rights were acquired by Smoothie King.
- Current owner and operator is Pelicans team owner Tom Benson, who purchased the Hornets/Pelicans franchise from the NBA in 2012.
- The Pelicans manage arena operations and hold a long-term lease for use of the facility.
- Recent upgrades have totaled over $100 million and solidified the arena as a top-tier NBA venue.
- The Pelicans are contracted to stay in the arena through at least 2024 with options to extend further.
So in summary, the Smoothie King Center is owned by Tom Benson as part of the Pelicans team ownership group and operated by the Pelicans franchise. There are no signs of the team seeking alternate arena plans meaning the venue should remain the Pelicans long-term home court.
Conclusion
The Smoothie King Center has been the home of the NBA’s Pelicans franchise since the team’s formation in 2002. Originally called New Orleans Arena when it opened in 1999, the facility was purpose-built through a mix of public and private funds as a replacement for the aging Superdome.
Despite suffering heavy damage during Hurricane Katrina that forced temporary relocation of the Hornets team, major renovations enabled the arena to reopen in 2007. Further upgrades and infrastructure investments in recent years have made the venue one of the NBA’s top-rated.
Current owner Tom Benson and the Pelicans management have focused on creating a first-rate fan experience to attract concert and sporting event business. With the team contracted to stay into the 2030s and no plans for a new facility elsewhere, the Smoothie King Center appears well-positioned as a long-term anchor and entertainment draw in downtown New Orleans.
