NEW YORK, USA – New Orleans will play host to the 2017 NBA All-Star Game that was removed from Charlotte last month over a new North Carolina state law limiting anti-discrimination protections for gays.
The 66th NBA All-Star Game will be staged on February 19 at the home arena of the New Orleans Pelicans.
New Orleans has hosted prior gatherings of the NBA's elite talent in 2008 and 2014.
"New Orleans is a world-class destination for sports and entertainment and we are very appreciative that the city is once again hosting our All-Star festivities," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said.
In 2008, the NBA played the game there in the wake of devastating floods that affected tens of thousands of Louisiana residents, with players helping work to rebuild homes as well as the league providing financial support of flood rescue, relief and rebuilding efforts.
The 2014 All-Star Game generated over $100 million in economic impact for New Orleans, money that would have gone to Charlotte had the state not passed the discrimination law that caused an uproar in the gay and transgender community.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver warned that such a move could prompt the NBA to move the game.
Among the problems the NBA and other critics have with the North Carolina measure known as House Bill 2 (HB2) is that it mandates transgender people to use public restrooms corresponding to the sex listed on their birth certificates and omits gay and transgender people from discrimination protection.
"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," Silver said.
Silver said the NBA removed the game from Charlotte "with the hope of rescheduling for 2019," but added, "provided there is an appropriate resolution to this matter." – Rappler.com