CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The NBA has pulled the 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte over North Carolina’s controversial House Bill 2, according to reports.
The basketball website “The Vertical” reported New Orleans is the front runner to host the game once it is moved from Charlotte.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has been critical of the law since it was signed into action by Gov. Pat McCrory.
On July 12 in Las Vegas, Silver said the NBA was not ready to make a decision yet.
“But we recognize the calendar is not our friend here,” Silver said.
Silver was in Las Vegas for the NBA owners annual meeting. He said the NBA Board of Governors did receive updates on the situation with House Bill 2 in North Carolina, but said they did not vote on the issue.
“Is this the place we should be in February 2017 as the epicenter of global basketball? Where we can go to celebrate our game and our values,” Silver asked.
HB2 requires individuals to use the bathroom corresponding to the gender listed on their birth certificate in government buildings, schools and universities. It also does not allow municipalities to set their own minimum wage rates.
The bill was passed in a one-day special session and was signed by McCrory that night.
Progress NC Action released a statement Thursday regarding the NBA’s decision.
Today’s news is further evidence that HB2 is an economic disaster for North Carolina,” said Gerrick Brenner, executive director of Progress NC Action. “Over $100 million in economic activity is leaving our state because of Gov. McCrory’s discriminatory law, on top of the hundreds of jobs and millions in tourism dollars that our state has already lost over HB2. But instead of admitting his mistake, the governor is busy raiding our disaster relief fund to defend this man-made disaster of a law in court. It’s time for Gov. McCrory to accept reality and call for a full repeal of HB2 before any more damage is done to our economy.”
Meanwhile, Civitas Institute released a statement by President Francis De Luca.
If these reports are indeed true, then the NBA has chosen social activism as opposed to what is in the best interests of their business. This is a perfect example of attempted corporate bullying, which will not hurt North Carolina. Thanks to conservative leadership in our state, North Carolina has attracted more business and jobs than ever before, and our economy continues to strengthen whether the NBA agrees with our laws or not. The thought that one basketball game not being played here will have a negative impact on North Carolina’s over half-trillion dollar economy is laughable.”
