Demonstration held outside Spectrum Center over HB2

NEW ORLEANS — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver wasted no time Saturday delving into the decision to move the 2017 NBA All-Star Game out of Charlotte as a result of House Bill Two.

The game, expected to bring $100 million to the Queen City, was relocated to New Orleans

Silver, in his annual state-of-the-league address at All-Star Saturday night, said he has spoken with North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper about the controversial and divisive HB2 law, one that the recently elected Cooper has said he wants repealed.

Silver expressed support for the Tar Heel state and wants to bring the game back to North Carolina in 2019. The NBA commissioner also issued a warning to states like Texas that are considering legislation similar to HB2.

"Our league-wide values in terms of equality and inclusion are paramount to this league, and members of the NBA family, and those jurisdictions that are considering legislation similar to HB2 are on notice," Silver said.

The NBA has said previously that repealing the bill is a must if the game is to come back to Charlotte.

Local business owners and advocacy groups gathered for a demonstration at 3 p.m. Sunday in front of the Spectrum Center in uptown to address the loss of the NBA All-Star Game and the immediate need for a full repeal of HB2, organizers said in a news release.

They're demanding the state Legislature repeal HB2.

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