Last week, a fake report said that the NBA was moving its 2017 All-Star Game out of Charlotte due to North Carolina's controversial Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act. One reason why the hoax spread was the strong possibility of it actually happening.
Well, now it is even more real. Speaking with reporters Thursday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said if the law, commonly known as the "Bathroom Bill," isn't changed, the league will find a host other than Charlotte for next year's All-Star Game.
"We've been, I think, crystal clear a change in the law is necessary for us to play in the kind of environment that we think is appropriate for a celebratory NBA event," Silver said at the Associated Press Sports Editors' commissioner meetings.
Adam Silver says the NBA has been clear that if the status quo in North Carolina remains in place the All-Star Game would have to be moved.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) April 21, 2016
For people like Hornets owner Michael Jordan and Charlotte-raised Stephen Curry, this means the dream midseason classic could remain just that, a dream. For Charlotte, this means a major event that the city has worked for many years to secure (the game was last in Charlotte in 1991) could be gone, along with the expected revenue boost from tourism.
According to reports from the APSE meeting, Silver hasn't set a deadline for a decision.
NBA's Adam Silver reiterates position that there is no timeline right now on plans to hold or not hold All-Star Game in NC next year.
— APSE (@APSE_sportmedia) April 21, 2016
Silver also addressed this issue on ESPN's Mike & Mike radio show, saying he hopes to work with leaders in North Carolina to change the law.
"At least at the moment, constructive engagement on our part is the best way to go as opposed to putting a gun to their head and saying 'do this or else,'" Silver said.
The new law says that North Carolina will not recognize sexual orientation or gender identity as a protected classes against discrimination. It also superseded a Charlotte ordinance that had allowed transgender people to use public bathrooms of the gender they identify with.
Shortly after the law went info effect, Bruce Springsteen canceled a concert scheduled to be held in Greensboro.
Charlotte hosts Game 3 of its playoff series Saturday against the Heat. Miami leads the series, 2-0.
