MLB officially moving 2021 All-Star Game and Draft out of Atlanta

MLB has made the official decision to move both the 2021 All-Star Game and Draft out of Atlanta because of new voting restrictions in the state.

The state of Georgia decided to pass new voting laws that are widely seen as restrictive. From a sports standpoint, MLB was put into focus because the league was planning to hold the 2021 All-Star Game and MLB Draft in Atlanta.

President Joe Biden spoke out on the matter, and MLB has made the official decision to move both events out of the state.

MLB moving All-Star Game and Draft out of Georgia

This is major news and once again proves that actions have consequences. The state of Georgia passed legislation and MLB, a private entity, has the right to respond like this.

It is fair for fans in Atlanta to be upset if they planned to attend the All-Star Game. However, they may want to take this up with their elected officials, because that is who ultimately caused this to happen.

Losing money because of a new law is actually one thing that could cause a state to go back on the matter. A similar thing happened a few years back when the NCAA decided to not hold championship events in North Carolina because of a controversial bill targeting transgender individuals. MLB taking this step could cause other leagues to do the same.

The question now becomes where the 2021 All-Star Game and MLB Draft will be held. The 2020 All-Star Game was supposed to be held in Los Angeles before it was canceled because of COVID-19. The city now has the 2022 All-Star Game.

Ideally, the league would go somewhere that allows a good amount of fans in the stands by July. Somewhere like Arlington could make a ton of sense. The Texas Rangers have not hosted the event since 1995. Denver could be another option, as the Colorado Rockies have not hosted since 1998.

The state of Georgia may only be seeing the beginning of the repercussions for this new voting bill. MLB taking a stand sends a strong message that will hopefully wake up those who decided these new laws were a good idea.