The Charlotte Hornets are about to make waves—whether for better or worse—by starting construction on what they hope will be the NBA’s Top Facility in 2025. Located right next to the Spectrum Center, the heart of the action, this high-tech performance center is set to cost between $70 million to $100 million, depending on how deep the team’s pockets really go. With a staggering 160,000 sq ft of space dedicated to training, administration, and retail, this is no small-time project. But here’s where the spice comes in—$30 million of this is coming straight out of the City of Charlotte’s coffers. Taxpayer dollars are at play, and not everyone’s thrilled.
Are the Hornets Building NBA’s Top Facility, or Just Another Expensive Flop?
The rest of the bill? That’s on the Hornets, courtesy of owners Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin, who seem determined to keep the franchise planted firmly in Charlotte until 2045. They claim this center is the next step in building the “premier” NBA team, right after their Re!magine Spectrum Center project. The Hornets are doubling down on their promise to elevate their players’ training and performance, ensuring they have world-class facilities that rival the best in the league. But let’s not forget: fancy gyms don’t always turn struggling teams into champions. A flashy building doesn’t guarantee a winning streak.
Gilbane Building Company and R.J. Leeper Construction, both heavy hitters in the industry, have taken on the responsibility of making this dream come true, guided by design powerhouse Populous and strategic consultant CAA Icon. Sure, the vision is grand, but is it grounded in reality? This massive investment raises questions. Can a top-tier performance center really transform a franchise that’s been hovering near the bottom of the NBA for years? It’s a classic case of, “Is this the cure, or just another band-aid?”
When the dust settles and the center opens—planned for the 2026-27 NBA season—we’ll finally see if all this hype was worth it. Are the Hornets poised to dominate the NBA, or will they be stuck in the same rut, only now with shinier digs? Time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: this project is set to keep tongues wagging in Charlotte for years to come.
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