According to a report by the Associated Press, Hornets owner George Shinn said Wednesday that he has never wavered in his plan to return full time to New Orleans for the 2007-08 NBA season.

Just two days after saying the pace of New Orleans' recovery from Hurricane Katrina was "very discouraging and very depressing," Shinn planned to meet with potential investors interested in ensuring the team's long-term viability in the city.

The Hornets have hired a New York-based sports advisory group to seek potential investors. More than a dozen with interest in keeping the team in New Orleans were scheduled to meet later Wednesday with Shinn and Hornets guard Chris Paul, the NBA Rookie of the Year.