Charlotte Hornets

Steve Clifford returns to the Hornets and other sports headlines.

A person familiar with the situation says Steve Clifford has agreed to a multi-year contract to return as head coach of the Charlotte Hornets.

The Charlotte Hornets drafted two centers in the first round of the NBA draft — trading one away and keeping the other.

Kenny Atkinson decides to stay at Golden State and Bob McKillop retires from Davidson.

Kenny Atkinson has decided not to become the coach of the Charlotte Hornets. Two people with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Saturday that Atkinson has reversed course and will not take over as coach of the Hornets.

The Charlotte City Council voted Monday to spend $275 million improving the Spectrum Center and to build a new practice facility for the Charlotte Hornets. Council members also voted to spend $4.3 million on an engineering study for the third and final phase of the Gold Line streetcar.

The city of Charlotte is proposing spending $215 million to improve the Spectrum Center, as well as $60 million to build a new stand-alone practice facility for the Charlotte Hornets. The 17-year-old arena was built for $265 million.

The Charlotte Hornets fired head coach James Borrego last week after four seasons. Across the border in Rock Hill, South Carolina, meanwhile, plans for a new Carolina Panthers headquarters facility are still on hold. And the NFL’s No. 1 draft pick could just be Charlotte native Ikem Ekwonu.

The Hornets flamed out of the playoffs, and Charlotte FC lost in a rematch to the New England Revolution. Meanwhile, the city's other major team, the Panthers, are still trying to figure out their quarterback situation.

Charlotte FC got payback against budding rival Atlanta United on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Hornets had their first winning season in six years. But will they get a chance in the NBA playoffs?