Warriors' Steve Kerr: MLB 'Showed a Lot of Courage' Moving ASG From Georgia

Blake SchusterContributor IApril 2, 2021

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 28: Head Coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 28, 2021 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr applauded Major League Baseball's decision to move the 2021 All-Star Game from Atlanta after Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill that restricts voting rights into law.

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Warriors coach Steve Kerr, an avid Dodgers fan, on Major League Baseball's decision to move All-Star game from Atlanta because of Georgia's recent voting laws pic.twitter.com/GQon2ypYu0

MLB announced its decision Friday, becoming the latest professional sports league to relocate a tentpole event in protest of a state law. In 2017, the NBA relocated its All-Star Game from Charlotte, North Carolina, to New Orleans after the state passed a bill discriminating against the LGBTQ community.

Kerr was a supporter of the NBA's decision at the time and remains one of the more politically outspoken coaches in professional sports.

“Everybody has a role to play,” Kerr said in 2017. “If you’re a big part of society, if you’re exposed, if you’re in the news, then you play a role. Free speech is one of the principals our country is founded on. I think there’s a responsibility that goes with that if you see injustice.

"The NBA’s been great in terms of understanding that responsibility and taking action such as moving the All-Star Game from Charlotte to New Orleans."

Both the Braves and Kemp criticized MLB for moving the game, though Manfred's decision prompted praise from The Players Alliance and Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who previously expressed his hesitancy with serving as the manager for the National League squad at this year's All-Star Game as long as it remained in Atlanta.

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ThePlayersAlliance @Player_Alliance
We stand in support of @MLB's decision to move the 2021 All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/ESTh4g4bVj

Mike DiGiovanna @MikeDiGiovanna
#Dodgers MGR Dave Roberts on All-Star Game being moved out of Atlanta: "I support it. I’m not completely versed on everything, but my takeaway from the bill was essentially to suppress voting for people of color. That’s something I fundamentally and intrinsically disagree with."

Atlanta was set to host the 2021 MLB draft during All-Star Weekend as well.

No replacement site has been announced by MLB, and there is no known timeline for a follow-up announcement. The game is scheduled for July 13.