The (AP) reports: The NBA's Relocation Committee has unanimously recommended that the league's Board of Governors approve the Charlotte Hornets' move to New Orleans.

"The support shown by the fans, civic leaders and the business community in the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana has been quite impressive," committee chairman Jerry Colangelo said on Thursday in a statement. "We think the Hornets have laid the necessary groundwork for the successful operation of the team in New Orleans."

The Board of Governors will hold a meeting by teleconference on May 10 to vote on the proposed move. Approval will require a majority vote (15 votes) of the 29-member Board of Governors.

The six team owners joining Colangelo on the Relocation Committee are Gordon Gund of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Herb Simon of the Indiana Pacers, Jerry Buss of the Los Angeles Lakers, Lewis Katz of the New Jersey Nets, Ed Snider of the Philadelphia 76ers and Peter Holt of the San Antonio Spurs.

The Hornets and state officials have also agreed in principle on a 10-year contract for the NBA team to play in the New Orleans Arena.