Smoothie King Center
Servicing New Orleans in the form of a professional basketball venue, the Smoothie King Center opened its doors in 1999. They were able to lure the Pelicans (known then as the Hornets) in 2002. It has also been the home of the New Orleans Brass of the ECHL (which folded in 2002) and the New Orleans VooDoo of the AFL.
After Hurricane Katrina devastated the New Orleans area, this arena was used for medical operations. The Hornets were forced to play elsewhere temporarily as the venue was used for something much bigger than basketball.
2013 saw major upgrades to the suite and club levels, new concessions, LED boards, and other amenities. Additional upgrades would take place in 2014 with changes to the exterior.
This building has hosted the NBA All-Star Game three times (2008, 2014, and 2017) in addition to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in 2007 and 2010. ArenaBowl was hosted at this venue in 2007, 2008, and 2012. MMA, Professional Bull Riders, WWE, and concerts have also been on the Smoothie King Center calendar.
LuxuryVIPSuites.com knows how amazing it is to visit this city and this venue, in particular. Our vast relationships with Smoothie King Center suite owners have resulted in our ability to bring luxury suites to our clients for events going on at this great venue. If you are looking to host, either professionally or privately, we are here to serve your every need and make it an event that will be remembered forever. Call our office today at 610-828-7407 to learn more about the process through which LuxuryVIPSuites.com can provide an incredible luxury suite for a Pelicans game or anything else happening at this arena.
New Orleans Pelicans suite owners should consider themselves very lucky to own such a wonderful commodity. These luxury suites are highly sought-after and can be rented out to our clients in the region on an event by event basis. You make back some of your investment while allowing another group to experience an event from this wonderful vantage point. It’s a win-win. Email us direct at sales@luxuryvipsuites.com for a complete understanding of the benefits of partnering with LuxuryVIPSuites.com to sell your suite for Pelicans games or other events at the Smoothie King Center.
New Orleans Pelicans luxury suites can be booked on line here!
When the old Charlotte Hornets relocated to New Orleans in 2002, they became known as the New Orleans Hornets. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the team was forced to play their home games in Oklahoma City, leading to them being known as the New Orleans / Oklahoma City Hornets. Back in the Big Easy full time, the franchise decided to rebrand themselves as the New Orleans Pelicans in 2013. The city of Charlotte started a new NBA team and took back their Hornets pre-2002 history.
Despite the changes to team history, the New Orleans Pelicans basketball club continues their valiant efforts on the court each night in pursuit of their first championship. Only one division title has been earned by this group, that coming in 2008. Their lone retired number, 7, in honor of Pete Maravich, dates back to his time playing with the New Orleans Jazz in the 1970s. That said, this organization is looking to the future for the next great chapter in the story of their franchise. The greatest years for the New Orleans Pelicans are yet to be played.
Despite some decent seasons and playoff appearances, the Pelicans are still looking for their first big playoff run. The 2007-2008 season saw them come within one game of the Western Conference Finals before being sent home by San Antonio in seven games. Their biggest star at this time was Chris Paul, who had won Rookie of the Year honors just two seasons prior. He would leave for the Clippers in 2011.
Luckily for New Orleans, a new superstar was on the way in Anthony Davis. The number one overall draft pick in 2012, he quickly became the face of the franchise. Professional accolades would follow as he would lead this team back into the second round of the playoffs in 2017-2018 before being eliminated by Golden State in five games.
The relationship with Anthony Davis and New Orleans, however, eroded over time and he informed the team that he would not sign an extension. Requesting a trade, the strained connection became a public mess. He was sent to the Lakers in a blockbuster offseason deal which brought Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and a number of first round draft picks. Ingram locked in a five year, $158 million max contract extension. He plans to play in New Orleans for a long time.
The organization had a stroke of luck in the 2019 NBA draft lottery, coming up with the number one pick and using it to select Zion Williamson out of Duke. This young superstar seems destined to leave a mark on the NBA with his impressive skill set. Pelicans fans could not wait to get him out on the floor after a torn meniscus in the preseason benched him for the early part of the year. He returned to the court and has impressed everyone with his dominating play.
Williamson plays alongside Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram. Eric Bledsoe also brings a lot to the table for New Orleans. Missing the playoffs by just one spot in the 2020-2021 season, management made the stunning decision to move on from head coach Stan Van Gundy after just one season. If the next head coach can get the most out of these players, they may very well find themselves in the playoffs next year.
An organization with a short history, Chris Paul and Anthony Davis are the biggest names to have played for the Pelicans. Will Zion Williamson live up to the hype long term and be the next name on this Mount Rushmore of the New Orleans Pelicans? Additional information about this franchise can be found by clicking here.
If you own a New Orleans Pelicans suite, we can market your luxury suite for the dates you choose not to use or are unable to attend.
This is a great opportunity to offset much of your suite expense which you incur each year. You have thousands of dollars just sitting there – no New Orleans Pelicans game should go unused.
Benefit from extra revenue with LuxuryVIPSuites while helping out a corporate group that needs to entertain clients at a game or concert in your New Orleans Pelicans suite.