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Charlotte All-Star Game a possibility again according to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver

By Derek Helling

Feb 18, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media during the Commissioner Press Conference at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media during the Commissioner Press Conference at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NBA Board of Governors has reversed their stance on North Carolina hosting one of the league’s marquee events like the All-Star Game, per NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

A Charlotte All-Star Game could be a possibility, even a likelihood, as soon as 2019. That’s if the city meets certain requirements per Silver in a press conference on Friday.

Speaking to the media during a break from the meetings, Silver expressed the league’s opinion that the fundamental issues the league has with North Carolina’s “bathroom law” that requires people to use the restrooms that match the sex designated on their birth certificates remain intact.

At issue is the fact that the law limits anti-discrimination protections for transgender people. Silver expressed the league’s desire to make its events accessible to all people.

A repeal and replace of the original law was done by the North Carolina Assembly in March, which has prompted the NBA board of governors to change its stance.

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While Charlotte is again eligible to bid on the event as soon as 2019, it’s no guarantee that the city will land the event. Silver expressed that despite the fact that Charlotte is again eligible, the city will still have to convince the league that its requirements for discrimination protections will be met before it will be rewarded with an All-Star Game or any other event. Silver did not elaborate on what exactly those requirements entail.

Silver also expressed that if Charlotte can jump through those hoops, a formal announcement that the home of the Hornets will be the site of the 2019 All-Star Game could come quickly, perhaps within a month’s time.

Silver spun this reversal of the NBA’s stance as an opportunity for the NBA to display its initiatives of inclusion. He said that changing minds, not changing laws, is what will ultimately lead to progress on the issue of LGBT rights.

It seems likely that Charlotte will get to host the 2019 All-Star Game now, unless city executives refuse to fall into line with the NBA’s demands. In that case, the bidding for the event would be wide open.

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