NBA All-Star Game Heading Back To Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, NC — The NBA will play its 2019 All-Star Game at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, it said Wednesday.

The announcement comes almost two months after the NCAA and ACC relaxed their boycott of the state due to its contentious HB2 “bathroom bill” signed into law in 2016 that denied anti-discrimination protections based upon sexual orientation or gender identity.

Lawmakers “repealed” the law in late March, however in doing so, they put in place a controversial provision that prevents cities in North Carolina from passing their own anti-discrimination laws through at least 2020.

The All-Star Game, which hasn’t been played in Charlotte in 28 years, is set for Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. (Sign up for our free Daily Newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Charlotte, NC Patch)

“While we understand the concerns of those who say the repeal of HB2 did not go far enough, we believe the recent legislation eliminates the most egregious aspects of the prior law,” Adam Silver, NBA commissioner, said in a statement May 24.

“Additionally, it allows us to work with the leadership of the Hornets organization to apply a set of equality principles to ensure that every All-Star event will proceed with open access and anti-discrimination policies,” Silver said. “All venues, hotels and businesses we work with during All-Star will adhere to these policies as well.”

The City of Charlotte expressed excitement over the announcement Wednesday, saying it looked forward to cooperating with the NBA and partners to make the event successful.”The NBA and its fans are known for their passion and enthusiasm, and we’re thrilled to build on their energy by showcasing all that Charlotte has to offer,” the city said in a statement.

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