NBA fans on social media have begun theorizing that the New Orleans Pelicans could be relocating in the near future. While the team officially confirms nothing, all signs point towards a relocation direction.
Meanwhile, it’s been a nightmare start for New Orleans. Six games in, they’re 0–6 and still searching for their first win at the bottom of the West. It’s a painful follow-up to last season’s collapse, when the team stumbled to a 21–61 record, their second-worst since moving to New Orleans in 2002, traded away Brandon Ingram, and missed out on a top-four draft pick despite having nearly a 50% chance.
How Are Fans Reacting to Rumors of New Orleans Pelicans’ Relocation?
One Pelicans fan on social media noted how the team’s front office hasn’t been prioritizing their marketing. They posted screenshots of the Pelicans’ official website, which appeared to be practically empty. There were no game schedules posted for the season, and fan activities are almost nonexistent. The fan even noted how the Pelicans don’t have a unique hashtag on X, unlike other NBA teams.
Other fans on X then hopped on the post to voice out their opinions regarding the matter. Here’s what some of them said:
“I’m starting to become a big believer of the conspiracy theory that ownership and the league are prepping this team for a move. Force a complete and utter collapse of fan support so when they move, there’s very little pushback,” one fan pointed out.
Has Pelicans ownership quiet quit on fans?
1) no promotional calendar for season
2) stopped having open Pelicans NBA draft watch parties and quietly started hosting closed door local food influencer ones (like 40 people)
3) no marketing for new team slogan. Just #pelicans pic.twitter.com/TldyZ2gCT5
— retroPels (@retro_pels) November 3, 2025
“Dumars was instructed by ownership to cut costs because Griff asked too much of them. A lot of what you’re seeing is the result cutting corners. Also promotional stuff requires sponsors, which the Pelicans are struggling to retain. All flows back to the $$$,” another fan pointed out.
Dumars was instructed by ownership to cut costs because Griff asked too much of them. A lot of what you’re seeing is the result cutting corners. Also promotional stuff requires sponsors, which the Pelicans are struggling to retain. All flows back to the $$$ https://t.co/oOxOvnTxGK
— Shamit Dua (@FearTheBrown) November 3, 2025
“This is kind of telling. Unpopular opinion, but this logic leads me to believe relocation talks could possibly happen within the next few years, unfortunately,” one fan shared.
This is kind of telling. Unpopular opinion, but this logic leads me to believe relocation talks could possibly happen within the next few years unfortunately
— Drake Tassin (@Tazzmania1992) November 3, 2025
“It all adds up. Benson shuttered the racetrack and brewery to focus on his teams, only to cut their budgets. The Smoothie King Center renovations were just talk. This is mismanagement. He doesn’t care about the teams’ success; he’s just waiting for the 2027 NBA expansion payday,” one fan theorized.
It all adds up. Benson shuttered the racetrack and brewery to focus on his teams, only to cut their budgets. The Smoothie King Center renovations were just talk. This is mismanagement. He doesn’t care about the teams’ success; he’s just waiting for the 2027 NBA expansion payday.
— Ren Frank (@RenFrank10) November 3, 2025
“If you aren’t willing to spend money on your nba franchise, sell it for 3 billion dollars and walk away,” one fan said.
If you aren’t willing to spend money on your nba franchise, sell it for 3 billion dollars and walk away
— Ryan Beam (@RBeam17) November 4, 2025
“They will relocate to Seattle soon imo,” another fan said.
They will relocate to Seattle soon imo
— Lem (@Lem_201_) November 3, 2025
While many fans theorized about what could be going on internally with the Pelicans, another fan on X noted that even the marketing email is subpar. The fan uploaded a screenshot of an email he received from the team giving away Pelicans-themed apparel. However, instead of sending a picture of the actual product their way, they received an image of a concept design of the product.
The emails are atrocious. Like they can’t even get real pictures of the stuff they’re trying to give away. It’s like the sketch of a shirt and its all stuff they gave away last year. It’s so embarrassing!!! pic.twitter.com/XpiZZ360sW
— Pelicans/Saints/LSU/WWE/NXT/AEW (@BadDancerMusic) November 3, 2025
As of this writing, the Pelicans have yet to comment on their apparent lack of enthusiasm for marketing the team. However, with an expiring lease at the Smoothie King Center approaching in June 2029, this could be a sign that they will relocate to a new city in the future.
