The NBA All-Star game that was scheduled for Charlotte next season has officially been moved. The league released a full statement last night addressing the issue and it appears, at least for now that New Orleans will be the likely candidate to replace Charlotte, although a few other cities are trying to get the game as well. As you might expect, such a decision is not made lightly as years of planning go into something like this but the NBA showed the government of North Carolina they will not support a state that allows possible discrimination of any kind. Many people in the basketball world such as Michael Jordan, who probably stands to lose the most, as well as Steph Curry who is native to Charlotte, spoke on the decision.
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Here is the NBA’s statement in full:
“The NBA has decided to relocate the 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte with the hope of rescheduling for 2019.
“Since March, when North Carolina enacted HB2 and the issue of legal protections for the LGBT community in Charlotte became prominent, the NBA and the Charlotte Hornets have been working diligently to foster constructive dialogue and try to effect positive change. We have been guided in these discussions by the long-standing core values of our league. These include not only diversity, inclusion, fairness and respect for others but also the willingness to listen and consider opposing points of view.
“Our week-long schedule of All-Star events and activities is intended to be a global celebration of basketball, our league, and the values for which we stand, and to bring together all members of the NBA community — current and former players, league and team officials, business partners, and fans. While we recognize that the NBA cannot choose the law in every city, state, and country in which we do business, we do not believe we can successfully host our All-Star festivities in Charlotte in the climate created by HB2.
“We are particularly mindful of the impact of this decision on our fans in North Carolina, who are among the most passionate in our league. It is also important to stress that the City of Charlotte and the Hornets organization have sought to provide an inclusive environment and that the Hornets will continue to ensure that all patrons — including members of the LGBT community — feel welcome while attending games and events in their arena.
“We look forward to re-starting plans for our All-Star festivities in Charlotte for 2019 provided there is an appropriate resolution to this matter.
“The NBA will make an announcement on the new location of the 2017 NBA All-Star Game in the coming weeks.”
It’s nice to see that the league isn’t shutting the door on the all star game returning to Charlotte for the future, provided things within the state change. The people who are hurt the most in this case are the locals who were hoping for the economic boost an event like that would bring for a weekend. Michael Jordan, who was hoping to use the weekend as a platform for his franchise to be on, understood why Adam Silver moved the location of the game.
We understand the NBA’s decision and the challenges around holding the NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte this season. There was an exhaustive effort from all parties to keep the event in Charlotte, and we are disappointed we were unable to do so. With that said, we are pleased that the NBA opened the door for Charlotte to host All-Star Weekend again as soon as an opportunity was available in 2019. We want to thank the City of Charlotte and the business community for their backing throughout this entire process, starting with the initial bid. We are confident that they will be just as supportive and enthusiastic for the 2019 NBA All-Star Game.”
Warriors star Stephen Curry said he was disappointed the game wouldn’t be held in his hometown, but added that he understood the decision to move it.
“Just, I know how much that would have meant to the city to be able host the greatest NBA guys and celebrate the game of basketball,” Curry said on ESPN. “I know the league is in a position where they have to make a decision. And Adam Silver’s made one, and we support that. But at the end of the day, I love my city. I love Charlotte. I love everything about it. I love the people there. I really wanted to see them celebrate the game. It’s unfortunate they won’t be able to do that.”
Chris Paul, who also calls North Carolina home, shared his feelings as well.
“It’s tough. That’s home for me, North Carolina, some of my family and all that different stuff and all those different ties, but sometimes things have to be done, and it is what it is.
“The biggest thing that I hope is things (change) so that the game can be there at some point. I think those fans in North Carolina deserve it…I live on the completely other coast now, and like I said, I was excited to have the opportunity to maybe go home for that game, maybe, and play. Some things are bigger than the game.”
Carmelo Anthony also spoke on it, saying “Aside from all the politics, I feel bad for MJ because I knew what that was going to do for the city of Charlotte. It was definitely going to boost everything, for him being able to bring All Star weekend to Charlotte. I feel bad for him and for the NBA too. We as players didn’t think it was going to get to this. It’s unfortunate….It’s a big decision for the NBA to pull it away from Charlotte. I guess we’ll see what happens from here now.”
The Governor of North Carolina, Pat McCrory, expectedly did not share the same views as the league and players.
“The sports and entertainment elite, Attorney General Roy Cooper and the liberal media have for months misrepresented our laws and maligned the people of North Carolina simply because most people believe boys and girls should be able to use school bathrooms, locker rooms and showers without the opposite sex present. Twenty-one other states have joined North Carolina to challenge the federal overreach by the Obama administration mandating their bathroom policies in all businesses and schools instead of allowing accommodations for unique circumstances. Left-wing special interest groups have no moral authority to try and intimidate the large majority of American parents who agree in common-sense bathroom and shower privacy for our children. American families should be on notice that the selective corporate elite are imposing their political will on communities in which they do business, thus bypassing the democratic and legal process.”
It’s a shame the governor basically called the NBA’s bluff and now his citizens are the one who have to pay for it in the end. There is a time for ego’s and this was not one of them, although it could be argued the league itself has an ego and has other issues to address outside of this one.
