Yesterday the NBA announced they will have the 2017 All-Star Game moved out of Charlotte because of North Carolina’s House Bill 2, which is designed to prohibit rights of the LGBT community.
2017 All-Star Game Moved to New Orleans?
“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,” the league said in a statement.
“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.”
The first choice mentioned, yet not confirmed, is New Orleans. We think the NBA should review the idea as Louisiana is one of the 11 states suing the government over public school bathroom access for transgendered students. Guess this could blow on their face, like jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
The NBA and players realized that since politicians are not interested in listening and changing, the best way is to hit their pockets. The league is placing their big foot ($$$) down.
This NBA’s strong statement might be followed by the NFL, MLB, who knows. Maybe this is a start of a social position on which even a Super Bowl site could be removed.