The NBA has chose to hold the 2017 All-Star Game in New Orleans, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press.
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The AP cited a person familiar with the decision who spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision had yet to be announced by the league.
The 2014 All-Star Game generated over $100 million in economic impact for New Orleans, money that would have gone to Charlotte had the state not passed the discrimination law that caused an uproar in the gay and transgender community.
The NBA has chose to hold the 2017 All-Star Game in New Orleans after taking the midseason event out of North Carolina because of a state law that limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay and transgender people.
“New Orleans is a world-class destination for sports and entertainment and we are very appreciative that the city is once again hosting our All-Star festivities”, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said.
And though other Southern states adopted similar anti-LGBT legislation, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards vowed not to follow suit.
In response to North Carolina enacting its controversial HB2 bill, the league announced in July it was pulling the game out of the city.
The city will have a busy two weeks – the 2017 All-Star Game is slated for February 19 (meaning the dunk and 3-point contests will likely be the day before), while Mardi Gras will follow roughly a week later on February 28. Heavy rains have devastated the state, with The Guardian reporting that 13 people have lost their lives, 40,000 homes have been damaged and, at its peak, 12,000 residents were housed in temporary shelters.
The Human Rights Campaign, a civil rights group, praised the NBA’s decision, and president Chad Griffin said that the league “sent a clear message to lawmakers in North Carolina and across the country that discrimination against LGBTQ people has consequences and will not be tolerated”.
To help the flooding victims, the National Basketball Association is partnering with the New Orleans Pelicans and New Orleans Saints to help rebuild damaged homes and collect food and water for affected residents.
North Carolina came under fire earlier this year when Gov. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement in March warning them of the situation.
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In April, Edwards issued an executive order to protect state workers and contractors from discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation, though the order made an exception for religious organizations.
