New Orleans to host 2017 NBA All-Star Game

The NBA has finalized a deal to hold the 2017 All-Star game in New Orleans, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to Paste BN Sports. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the move has not yet been announced.

The game was initially scheduled to be in Charlotte, but the league made the unprecedented decision last month to move it because of North Carolina’s controversial anti-LGBT law called House Bill 2. The law, which was passed in March, bans local municipalities from enacting non-discriminatory ordinances designed to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

“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 had said in a statement explaining the decision.

Charlotte is still expected to host the 2019 All-Star game, according to the statement, “provided there is an appropriate resolution to this matter.” New Orleans last hosted the All-Star game in 2014, and also hosted it in 2008.

“According to his own statements, Commissioner Silver has no credibility in telling America that he's more 'comfortable’ playing a basketball game in the People's Republic of China with its oppressive human rights record, rather than the 9th most populous state in the U.S.A.,” North Carolina governor Pat McCrory's communications director Josh Ellis said in a statement. “This is another classic example of politically-correct hypocrisy gone mad. We are proud that Louisiana has joined 21 other states that are fighting for basic privacy expectations for our children and families in school restrooms, locker rooms and shower facilities.”

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