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The 2017 NBA All-Star Game has a new home. After pulling the game from Charlotte because of North Carolina's discriminatory HB2 law, the league has decided to move All-Star Weekend to New Orleans. The plan was first reported by the Associated Press and has been confirmed by the league.
Here's the NBA's press release:
The NBA has issued the following statement regarding New Orleans as the host of NBA All-Star 2017: pic.twitter.com/cLOYRcyt9q
— NBA (@NBA) August 19, 2016
The league announced it would move the All-Star game from Charlotte in July, saying "We do not believe we can successfully host our All-Star festivities in Charlotte in the climate created by [the HB2 legislation]."
New York and Chicago were also reportedly under consideration to host All-Star festivities. The NBA family recognized this was a tough decision for the league to make, but supported the need to distance itself from discrimination:
I recognize this was a tough decision for the NBA but I respect the choice. Discrimination of any kind cannot be allowed
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) July 22, 2016
The NBA took issue with North Carolina's House Bill 2, a state law that limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay and transgender people. Our Tom Ziller wrote about how the league was right to proceed with caution and ultimately pull the game Charlotte last month.
New Orleans also hosted the All-Star Game in 2008 and 2014.