Lil Wayne is one of New Orleans' greatest native sons. While Weezy's sports loyalties can be described as tenuous at best, the has shown his fair amount of love to the franchise since the beginning.
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Anthony Mackie is perhaps the New Orleans Pelicans highest profile outspoken supporter, often tweeting about games. The Hollywood A-Lister has even gone so far as to compare Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson to his own Marvel teammate, The Hulk.
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For a dozen years, Jordan's anchored the defensive line for the New Orleans Saints. Throughout his long tenure in the NFL, the defensive end has been a staple courtside at Pelicans games and is a friend of many of the team's players.
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Terius Gray, better known by his stage name Juvenile, has been a part of Cash Money Records since his days as member of the Hot Boys. Which means one thing - he's a staple of New Orleans culture. Juvenile is often found sitting courtside, or even performing halftime shows with the likes of Mannie Fresh, Birdman, and others in Cash Money's deep stable of talent.
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You know him as Bunk Moreland. You know him as Antoine Batiste. You may even know him as Willy Loman. The Hollywood actor and New Orleans native has long been a supporter of the Pelicans, sitting courtside with many of the franchise's upper crust.
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- Mason Mount
For those unfamiliar, Mason Mount is a midfielder for one of the top soccer teams in the world, Chelsea, as well as England's national team. Mount originally picked the Pelicans as his NBA team because of their youthful exuberance and underdog appeal.
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The quarterback of the New Orleans Saints for fifteen plus years and N'awlins adopted son has long shown his respect for the local basketball team, since the days of Chris Paul. Brees roots on the Pelicans, often with his sons and family, usually courtside or in owner Gayle Benson's suite, as she owns both the Saints and Pelicans.
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Angie Thomas
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- Angie Thomas
The author of The Hate U Give hails from Jackson, Mississippi, but finds herself a New Orleans resident these days. Angie is vocal in her support of the Pelicans, often tweeting her thoughts on all things Pels.
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The legendary producer for Cash Money records is New Orleans, meaning with all things NOLA, Mannie Fresh should be incorporated some way, somehow. Mannie Fresh has performed numerous halftime shows for the Pelicans, alongside his Cash Money pals - Birdman, Juvenile, Curren$y, etc. - and typically catches games courtside.
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Ferrell isn't one of Louisiana's native sons and he probably isn't a die hard Pels fan, but the Los Angeles-native actor has attended multiple Pelicans games over the years, while filming movies in New Orleans. This hilarious and memorable scene from the 2015 film Daddy's Home was even filmed live at a Pelicans game during the 2014-15 season. Then, there's also the time Will Ferrell announced the player introductions when the Hornets hosted the Chicago Bulls in 2011-12.
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The NFL safety had a long and prosperous football career before returning to New Orleans to play for the Saints in 2022. A native son of The Big Easy, the “honey badger” as he's known immediately struck up friendships with the marquee figures of New Orleans' sports scene (such as Zion Williamson), and he is seen courtside enjoying Pels games.
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Actress and comedian Wanda Sykes loved the team so much she hugged the old New Orleans mascot Hugo during the second quarter of a 2012 game - back when the Pelicans were the Hornets. Sykes was in town filming the 2013 comedy film The Hot Flashes.
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New Orleans old quarterback Drew Brees was a recurring staple at New Orleans Pelicans home games. The new Saints QB in town, Jameis Winston, is doing his best to follow suit.
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Win Butler has lived uptown in New Orleans for some time. The Arcade Fire front man, who has a deep affinity for the game of basketball - so much so he's played in three NBA Celebrity All Star Games - can often be seen courtside, rooting on the Pelicans.
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Cash Money Records co-founder Birdman is no stranger to sitting court side at Pelicans home games, most recently in 2022 where the rapper was spotted giving Brandon Ingram some words of wisdom after the game.
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Morris Bart
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- Morris Bart
Morris Bart is the New Orleans basketball franchise's longest corporate supporter and a frequent advertiser with the team. If not for Zatarain's, it might be the personal injury attorney's logo on the Pels jerseys. Bart can be seen courtside regularly, rooting on the hometown team.
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One of the many great rappers from New Orleans' golden generation of hip hop, Curren$y jumped around from label to label, being affiliated with No Limit, Young Money, Cash Money, et al throughout his rap career. When it comes to sports though, it's Saints and Pelicans for the musical artist.
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The longtime New Orleans Saints gaffer moved to the Crescent City right after the basketball franchise set up shop in town. Payton has long supported the Hornets and now Pelicans, and still resides in town in retirement.
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Master P is one of the most famous rappers to ever come out of Baton Rouge, so it's no surprise he's a Pelicans fan. Master P loves the team so much, he thinks he should be the coach!
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Chris Trew
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- Trew To The Game
The comedian and writer has long been a passionate supporter of the NOLA basketball franchise. Trew's writing about the Pelicans has been featured on ESPN Truehoop, NBA.com, UPROXX, and Pelicans.com. He even penned a book Behind The Bench: Funny Stories From Sitting Behind The Visitor's Bench At Pelican's Games.
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The Hollywood A-Lister has a lot of sports loyalties, but his relationship with underdog New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jose Alvarado is a cool one. In May 2021, the actor spent time in the metro Atlanta area to shoot a movie. Jamie Foxx was looking for a gym where he could work without attracting attention. With a connection to former Georgia Tech football player Osahon Tongo, Foxx made use of Tech’s weight room, where he first met Jose Alvarado, who was working out in preparation for the 2021 NBA draft. The pair grew to be pals from there. Small world.
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"Can't Guard Mike" as he's known on the football field ingratiated himself with New Orleans fans by being a productive wide receiver for the Saints. Off the field, you can find Thomas sitting courtside and supporting the local basketball team.
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Dee-1
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- New Orleans Pelicans
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The New Orleans native rapper is not only a huge fan of the Pelicans. Dee-1 has written multiple Pelicans hype songs over the years, including an official commission “For The Culture” by the franchise in 2020-21. You can watch/listen here.
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Back when New Orleans was known as Hollywood South, actor Zach Galifianakis attended a New Orleans Hornets game when they took on the Dallas Mavericks in 2012, while filming The Campaign (2012) in NOLA, Hammond, and on the West Bank.
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- Clive Howes
- Chelsea FC
When diehard Pelicans fan Mason Mount is your teammate, that tends to rub off on you. While it's impossible to know where the USMNT Captain America himself's true NBA allegiances lie, just take a look at the evidence available at hand.
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Bubba Watson is no stranger to competing in big moments, and after playing a round at the 2022 Zurich classic, Watson stopped by the Smoothie King Center to catch a Pelicans-Suns game during the 2022 NBA playoffs.
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Rob Ryan coached as the New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator from 2013-2015. While his on field tactics didn't deliver much success, Ryan was a beloved figure around the city with memorials to the long-haired coach still in place at numerous bars and restaurants around town (i.e. Ms. Mae's). One night, Ryan showed up to root on the Pelicans in a schmedium sized jersey.
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