NBA Pulls 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte: Latest Comments, Reaction
In reaction to the state's anti-LGBT legislation, the NBA has pulled the 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte, North Carolina, per a statement from the league (via Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today):
The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the move. Hornets team president Fred Whitfield told Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer that if HB2 has been revoked by 2019, the team will host that year's All-Star Game.
The Hornets posted a statement on the decision:
"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.
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North Carolina governor Pat McCrory released a response to the NBA's decision:
"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.
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The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBT rights group, also spoke on the move, per Dominic Holden of BuzzFeed:
NBA partner Turner Sports (parent company of Bleacher Report) issued a press release on the news:
"At Turner, and our parent company Time Warner, diversity in all its forms is core to our value system and to the success of our company. Laws to the contrary go against our fundamental belief of equality and inclusion for all individuals. We fully support the NBA’s decision to relocate the 2017 All-Star Game and all of the weekend’s events originally scheduled to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina. The annual All-Star Game and accompanying weekend competitions are viewed by millions of fans every year on TNT and we look forward to working with the league to once again produce a memorable and entertaining event.
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Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive came out in support of the decision:
"We applaud and support the NBA's decision to ensure that all members of the NBA family, our fans and our partners are able to attend and enjoy the All-Star game in a state where they feel welcome and safe. We enthusiastically support Commissioner Silver and we are proud to play in a league that is a leader in promoting the importance of diversity and equality.
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Nike also commented on the news, via Slam: "Nike supports the NBA’s decision to stand up for equal rights for the LGBT community by moving the location of the All Star Game. We stand against discrimination of any kind and believe this decision sends a strong message of inclusion and respect for diversity."
The Ringer's Bill Simmons noted how Charlotte's taxpayers might not be happy about the development:
As the Charlotte Observer's Michael Gordon, Mark S. Price and Katie Peralta explained, North Carolina's House Bill 2 declined to grant protection against discrimination to the gay and transgender communities. In addition, the law requires people to use the bathroom of their biological gender, rather than the gender with which they identify.
In an April interview on Mike and Mike (via ESPN.com), NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the league would consider relocating next year's All-Star Game if North Carolina didn't amend House Bill 2:
"We've been working very closely with the business community down there and the governor and the legislature to make it clear that it would be problematic for us to move forward with our All-Star Game if there is not a change in the law. ...
... I believe they're going to do the right thing. And I think they've heard loud and clearly from the NBA, they know what's at stake in terms of the All-Star Game ... but I think at least at the moment, constructive engagement on our part is the best way to go as opposed to putting a gun to their head and saying "Do this, or else."
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Criticism of the legislation and sporting ramifications from the law have also extended beyond the NBA. The Albany Great Danes canceled a scheduled basketball game against the Duke Blue Devils in response to HB2. On Wednesday, Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski called HB2 an "embarrassing bill," per Scott Gleeson and Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today.
North Carolina Wolfpack head coach Mark Gottfried also spoke out against the law.
"I'm against any law that allows discrimination, whether that's based on race, gender, sexual orientation. I don't understand how someone can support this," he said. "I think the people at N.C. State, we believe in inclusion. Being a resident of the state, for me and my family, it's been frustrating."
According to Wojnarowski, the NBA initially looked into taking the 2017 All-Star Game to Las Vegas, but New Orleans has emerged as a more realistic destination.
