Look out: The new Charlotte Hornets logo is more likely to sting you.

Gone are the big wings, the beady eyes, the puffy hands and shoes. In comes a more shapely hornet with focused eyes and a long, sharp stinger.

The logo, which team officials say was a collaboration with the NBA and officials with Nike's Jordan brand, was unveiled on Saturday night by Bobcats owner Michael Jordan at halftime of the team's game against the Utah Jazz.

Merchandise featuring Charlotte's new Hornets logo will debut on Jan. 18. Courtesy of the Charlotte Bobcats

"You guys asked and we delivered," said Jordan, who also introduced the Hornets' word mark, as well as eight alternatives.

"Tonight is a special night."

The Bobcats officially become the Hornets the day after their final game this season.

"When we were doing our research, we looked closely into a hornet's DNA," team president and chief operating officer Fred Whitfield said. "We came back with swarming, attacking and protective."

The costs to change from the Bobcats to the Hornets have been tabbed at around $4 million, with 250 major points throughout the arena that need to be rebranded, according to team executive vice president and chief marketing officer Pete Guelli.

While the Bobcats, who have been in the bottom quartile of merchandise sales throughout their history, are expected to make a huge leap, a large percentage of the royalties -- everything outside of team owned and arena sales -- will be split equally among the league's teams.

But Guelli said the name change already has paid major dividends, citing the team's 90 percent season ticket renewal rate coming off a 21-win season last season, with the equivalent of another 2,000 season tickets sold in the offseason. Guelli also said he attributes the name change to scoring two new national sponsors, Mercedes-Benz and McDonald's.

Merchandise with the new logo on it will debut on Jan. 18, while the uniforms will be unveiled in the summer. Team officials also say they will bring back their old mascot "Hugo," which will get an update but will likely look a bit more kid-friendly.