Charlotte Hornets (WFL)
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Charlotte Hornets was a football team in the 1974-75 World Football League. The actually relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina from New York, New York during the 1974 season.
Originally to be known as the Boston Bulldogs, but shortened at the 11th hour on October 1973 to Bulls. By February 1974 they changed the name and venue via merger with the original unnamed New York franchise as the "New York Stars," one of the 12 teams to begin play in 1974. With Yankee Stadium under renovation and Shea Stadium full to capacity with the baseball Mets and NFL Jets, the team was forced to stage its games in a decrepit venue called in Downing Stadium, located at Randalls Island near the East River. The Stars organization brought in Vito "Babe" Parilli as its head coach, and Parilli signed a number of former New York Jets, including wide receiver George Sauer-coming out of retirement after three years, and former All-Pro defensive men Gerry Philbin, and John Elliott. The WFL needed to have a presence in the largest U.S. media market, and although the WFL New York entry performed well-going 8-5 after being Detroit 37-7 in their final game at New York, without an adequate stadium, the Stars suffered financially and the league announced a move to Charlotte, North Carolina for the balance of the 1974 season in late September. The team played one game known as the Charlotte Stars. While in Charlotte, the team played at American Legion Memorial Stadium.
The team returned for the abbreviated 1975 campaign as the Charlotte Hornetsand lasted until the league ceased operations in the midst of the 1975 season.