The NBA will look for a new location for next year’s All-Star Game.
Advertisement
Charlotte officials have said they expected the event to have an economic impact of around $100 million, based on data from recent All-Star Games in the comparable New Orleans and Orlando markets.
The NBA stated Charlotte could still hold the 2019 All-Star Game if the state’s laws are changed.
The dates for All-Star Weekend is February 17-19; Mardi Gras is scheduled for February 28. This prompted National Basketball Association to make the decision to move the game.
The NBA will reportedly relocate the league’s 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte, following through on earlier threats to move the annual showcase event after North Carolina revoked protections for its LGBT community. “The question for us becomes in this situation, given the controversy, given the amount of discussion, given how hardened the views are, is this the place we should be in 2017, at the epicenter of global basketball where we can go celebrate our game and our values”.
It describes those as including “diversity, inclusion, fairness and respect for others”. The controversial bill, whose detractors say is discriminatory, has been defended by North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, who also signed the bill, and he didn’t back down from his defense after learning about the NBA’s decision.
There are hopes that the 2019 game can be rescheduled for Charlotte if the issue is resolved, they added.
“North Carolina has been the focus of the nation and in-state criticism every single day since this very bad law was passed”, Sgro said.
In the meantime, the search is now on for a new host for 2017, with some reports indicating that News Orleans is a front-runner. Schools wishing to host championship events must now prove they don’t discriminate with their facilities and operations through a 7-page anti-discrimination questionaire.
Several top entertainers also have canceled shows in North Carolina because of the law, including Ringo Starr, Bruce Springsteen and the Cirque du Soleil troupe. “There was an exhaustive effort from all parties to keep the event in Charlotte, and we are disappointed we were unable to do so”, Jordan said.
“Shame on those responsible for such a short sighted decision to take the NBA All Star away from Charlotte I always thought this was country that ALL peoples not just a few can determine our future”, he wrote.
As for Paul, it is unfortunate that his home area will not see an All-Star game this season.
Advertisement
“The NBA should be ashamed of itself for using North Carolina-particularly its young girls-as a political pawn for an out-of-touch agenda that compromises both dignity interests and privacy rights”, Fitzgerald said in a statement.
