CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NBA Commissioner David Stern said the league prefers that the Charlotte Hornets stay put despite efforts by co-owners George Shinn and Ray Wooldridge to move to New Orleans.

Charlotte's city council is expected to vote Monday to approve a funding package for a new $230 million downtown arena sought by the professional basketball team. Stern's top deputy, Russ Granik, said an arena deal is of no consequence until the NBA knows how a lease would benefit the Hornets.

Stern said Saturday in Philadelphia that criticism of Shinn and Wooldridge by Charlotte politicians was "unseemly." But he acknowledged Shinn and Wooldridge, along with the league, deserve some blame should the Hornets move from Charlotte.

"If a team is in a situation where it's moving, and there's been a problem, then ownership has to have a responsibility, along with the league probably, and some part the city," he said.

The NBA commissioner acknowledged that if the Hornets stay in Charlotte, it would be under new ownership.

"I would say that's right," Stern said. "But there has been a lot of talk about what people (in Charlotte) were going to do and no one has come up with anything concrete."

Stern insisted time is running out to head off the team's move to New Orleans. A committee of NBA owners is studying the relocation issue. A decision is expected at a meeting April 8-9 in New York, he said.

"There's been a lot of talk emanating from Charlotte, particularly from the mayor," Stern said. "A lot of talk and virtually no action. We share their concerns because we'd like ... or would have liked ... to remain in Charlotte."