CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The NBA is moving the 2017 All-Star Game out of Charlotte because of its objections to a North Carolina law that limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay and transgender people.
The league had expressed its opposition to the law known as HB2 since it was enacted in March, and its decision Thursday came less than a month after state legislators revisited the law and chose to leave it largely unchanged.
"While we recognize that the NBA cannot choose the law in every city, state, and country in which we do business, we do not believe we can successfully host our All-Star festivities in Charlotte in the climate created by HB2," the league said in a statement.
[ LINK: Read more statements in response to the NBA's move, here ]
The league added that it hoped to announce a new location for next February's events shortly. It hopes to reschedule the 2019 game for Charlotte if there is a resolution to the matter.
Governor Pat McCrory was in Charlotte Friday morning, defiant in the face of the decision to remove the game from the Queen City.
“I think the decision is P.C. B.S. That's my opinion, the governor told Channel 9. “I think it was the wrong decision. I think it's a dangerous precedent that a corporation would say that unless you do this, we will not bring our service to your city or to your state. I think that's wrong.”
McCrory continued to blame the NBA's decision on what he called “The media and liberal elite.”
Reporter Jim Bradley will have more on how this issue continues to dominate the governor's race, on Eyewitness News at 5 p.m.
Earlier Friday morning, LGBT advocates expressed mixed feelings at the NBA's decision to pull the 2017 All-Star Game out of Charlotte.
Their message was simple: repeal House Bill Two.
They said they're sick of what the law is doing to the state and want to know why the governor isn't taking a stand against discrimination when businesses, artists and others are.
They also warned that the city's economic loss from the NBA relocating the game is only the tip of the iceberg.
“I'm disappointed in the loss of the game,” said Chris Sgro with N.C. Equality. “I also understand that the NBA must respect the safety and security of its fans.”
The group is asking people to reach out to local lawmakers and get out and vote in November to get rid of House Bill Two.
"We understand the NBA's decision and the challenges around holding the NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte this season. There was an exhaustive effort from all parties to keep the event in Charlotte, and we are disappointed we were unable to do so," Hornets chairman and Hall of Famer Michael Jordan said. "With that said, we are pleased that the NBA opened the door for Charlotte to host All-Star weekend again as soon as an opportunity was available in 2019."
The league's decision was first reported by the Vertical.
Commissioner Adam Silver wanted to wait as long as possible to make one, believing positive dialogue could lead to changes it felt the law needed. But he also said a decision would need to be made this summer, and the league was disappointed when the General Assembly restored the ability of workers to use state law to sue over employment discrimination on the basis of race, religion and other factors — but left gender identity and sexual orientation unprotected.
There was no appetite among Republican lawmakers to change the provision requiring transgender people to use restrooms corresponding to the sex on their birth certificates in many public buildings — a measure at the heart of two legal challenges in federal court.
The law passed in a March special session also excludes sexual orientation and gender identity from antidiscrimination protections related to the workplace, hotels and restaurants; and overrules local antidiscrimination ordinances. Republican leaders have said the law was passed in response to a Charlotte ordinance that would have allowed transgender people to use restrooms consistent with their gender identity.
McCrory lashed out at the sports and entertainment industry and the media in response to the NBA's announcement.
"The sports and entertainment elite, Attorney General Roy Cooper and the liberal media have for months misrepresented our laws and maligned the people of North Carolina simply because most people believe boys and girls should be able to use school bathrooms, locker rooms and showers without the opposite sex present," McCrory said in a statement issued by his office.
The law has drawn opposition from a number of entertainers who have canceled performances in North Carolina. Duke recently had to replace one of its games scheduled for next season when Albany was prevented from traveling to Raleigh by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's travel ban.
"So our state's lost a lot," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said Thursday.
The fate of the state law is likely to be decided in federal courts where dueling lawsuits are being heard, with a judge saying he wants to start trial in four of the five cases by early November. He's also set an Aug. 1 hearing on a motion for a preliminary injunction to block the law's bathroom access provision.
Charlotte officials have said they expected the event to have an economic impact of around $100 million, based on data from recent All-Star Games in the comparable New Orleans and Orlando markets. The game could rival the $164 million economic impact of the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, the largest financial bump of any event for the city.
Channel 9 spoke exclusively with Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts about the decision to pull the game out of the Queen City.
Roberts said she still believes Charlotte is the best place to host the game.
“It was the state legislature and the governor who specifically passed a law and they've been politicizing it,” Roberts sad. “That voice has been very loud, but we will continue to explain our side as well.”
The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority said the All-Star weekend was expected to bring in $100 million for the Charlotte area.
Roberts expressed disappointment that the law's "discriminatory actions" led to the NBA's decision and hoped the city will get another shot at the showcase in 2019.
"All-Star weekend would have provided an excellent opportunity to further showcase our great and welcoming city. Charlotte has shown its commitment to equal rights and inclusion and will continue to promote those values," Roberts said in a statement. "I appreciate the NBA and our Charlotte Hornets being such strong champions of equality."
Several NBA cities could be in line to host the game, including New Orleans — which has hosted the league's midseason showcase twice. The Pelicans are owned by Tom Benson.
"New Orleans has demonstrated time and again our ability to successfully host some of the largest and most visible sporting events and celebrations in the world, including the 2008 and 2014 NBA All-Star Games," Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President and CEO Jay Cicero said Thursday after the league's announcement. "We will do everything possible to assist the NBA, Mr. and Mrs. Benson and the New Orleans Pelicans in their efforts, if called upon."
Silver has said having Jordan, one of the NBA's most recognized figures, in Charlotte was one of reasons to have the game there. He also praised Charlotte' plans that had been made for renovations, which included upgrading the infrastructure, suites and scoreboard — all of which have been completed or are close to being completed.
On Thursday, Jordan thanked city leaders for their support.
"We want to thank the City of Charlotte and the business community for their backing throughout this entire process, starting with the initial bid," Jordan said. "We are confident that they will be just as supportive and enthusiastic for the 2019 NBA All-Star Game."
The NBA issued the following statement Thursday regarding the 2017 NBA All-Star Game:
“Since March, when North Carolina enacted HB2 and the issue of legal protections for the LGBT community in Charlotte became prominent, the NBA and the Charlotte Hornets have been working diligently to foster constructive dialogue and try to effect positive change,” the NBA said in a news release. “We have been guided in these discussions by the long-standing core values of our league. These include not only diversity, inclusion, fairness and respect for others but also the willingness to listen and consider opposing points of view.”
Our week-long schedule of All-Star events and activities is intended to be a global celebration of basketball, our league and the values for which we stand, and to bring together all members of the NBA community – current and former players, league and team officials, business partners and fans.
While we recognize that the NBA cannot choose the law in every city, state and country in which we do business, we do not believe we can successfully host our All-Star festivities in Charlotte in the climate created by HB2.
We are particularly mindful of the impact of this decision on our fans in North Carolina, who are among the most passionate in our league.
It is also important to stress that the City of Charlotte and the Hornets organization have sought to provide an inclusive environment and that the Hornets will continue to ensure that all patrons – including members of the LGBT community – feel welcome while attending games and events in their arena.
We look forward to re-starting plans for our All-Star festivities in Charlotte for 2019 provided there is an appropriate resolution to this matter.
The NBA will make an announcement on the new location of the 2017 NBA All-Star Game in the coming weeks.”
The Charlotte Hornets and Chairman Michael Jordan Thursday released the following statement regarding the 2017 NBA All-Star Game:
“We understand the NBA’s decision and the challenges around holding the NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte this season.
There was an exhaustive effort from all parties to keep the event in Charlotte, and we are disappointed we were unable to do so.
With that said, we are pleased that the NBA opened the door for Charlotte to host All-Star Weekend again as soon as an opportunity was available in 2019. We want to thank the City of Charlotte and the business community for their backing throughout this entire process, starting with the initial bid.
We are confident that they will be just as supportive and enthusiastic for the 2019 NBA All-Star Game.”