NBA reportedly near deal to move 2017 All-Star Game to New Orleans
The NBA is close to an agreement to move the 2017 All-Star Game to New Orleans, according to multiple reports. The decision is expected to be announced next week.
It isn't done ... but we're close to an all-star date in New Orleans. https://t.co/5J1f07fenn pic.twitter.com/VtiUeAgF3m
— New Orleans Advocate (@theadvocateno) August 4, 2016
After moving the 2017 All-Star game from Charlotte, the NBA nears deal with New Orleans. https://t.co/BaaczWzjA7 pic.twitter.com/wlCH5Mh06r
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 4, 2016
Charlotte originally was scheduled to host the All-Star Game, however North Carolina's passing of the controversial House Bill 2, which has been decried as discriminatory toward the LGBT community, led the NBA to seek a new host last month.
"(W)e do not believe we can successfully host our All-Star festivities in Charlotte in the climate created by HB2," the NBA said in a statement last month, adding that it hopes to host the game in Charlotte in 2019. Hornets owner Michael Jordan backed both the decision and the new opportunity for 2019.
This would be the third time New Orleans has hosted the All-Star Game in the past 10 years; the game was played there in 2008 and 2014.
The NBA announced in March that LA will host the 2018 All-Star Game.
