A potential ownership group for the Hornets based in New Orleans is taking shape, leading politicians to believe that the franchise will remain in Louisiana.

"The big message is: The future of the Hornets in the City of New Orleans is in our hands," New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said.

Landrieu and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal met with regional politicians, business leaders and the heads of economic development groups and chambers of commerce to discuss the future of the franchise that majority owner George Shinn is selling to the NBA.

"We've got a number of business leaders that are more than willing to step up to the plate and help put a coalition together to buy the team and keep them in New Orleans," Jindal said. "I'm not worried about other communities or other potential purchasers at this point."

NBA commissioner David Stern has said that the goal is to try first to identify buyers who could help the team stay in New Orleans.