Hornets Finally Pull in a Legitimate Owner with Arena Deal Squared Away

The big news of the day, if it isn't sufficiently obscured by the Maloof brothers making complete fools of themselves and their faux agreement with the city of Sacramento: The New Orleans Hornets will soon have a new owner, and one who doesn't bring the complications that come with having an arm of the NBA run your team's operations.

According to Jimmy Smith of The Times-Picayune, Tom Benson—the current owner of the New Orleans Saints —will soon be officially announced as the approved future owner of the New Orleans Hornets.

To the Hornets and their fans, I'd like to extend sincere congratulations: Welcome back to the independently functioning league of NBA teams.

It's the goal of every franchise to be extraordinary, but New Orleans was made so for all the wrong reasons when the NBA itself took control of the franchise in 2010.

But now, gone is the specter of "basketball reasons," the Chris Paul trade that wasn't (and then was) and the gray areas of luxury tax implications and player acquisitions.

The Hornets will be a real NBA franchise once again—with an experienced owner, a capable general manager in Dell Demps, a bright head coach in Monty Williams and an arena lease to quiet the relocation possibility once and for all.

And honestly, the timing couldn't be better.

The Hornets are set to enter into the fickle process of a complete rebuild, and it's more important than ever that the infrastructure of the organization is set in some navigable manner. Communication is important for any professional sports franchise, but especially so for teams at particular stages in their development.

The beginning of a true rebuild is one such time; this summer will bring many a crucial decision to the desk of Demps and his associates.

And although Benson will undoubtedly be a part of the team's biggest decisions going forward, the functioning of a very traditional, single-party owner will undoubtedly make for a welcome change.