Bringing All-Star game back to Charlotte is priority, NBA Commissioner says

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was in Charlotte to help reopen a refurbished basketball court at Latta Park as part of the Charlotte Hornets Legacy Project. But the league’s decision to pull the All-Star game from the Queen City is still fresh on people’s minds.

Hornets Chairman Michael Jordan and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver chat before today's community event at Latta Park. pic.twitter.com/abWIuy2zvv
— Phil Orban (@philorbanWSOC9) October 18, 2016

Silver dismissed the notion that pulling the All-Star Game was the equivalent of an economic boycott. He pointed to the other 29 teams this season that will play at Spectrum Arena, formerly known as Time Warner Cable arena, stay in nearby hotels and eat at nearby restaurants.

Silver said there’s a different standard for an All-Star Game. The weekend is a celebration of basketball and an environment that fosters inclusion was necessary. Silver said North Carolina’s House Bill 2 prevented that from happening.

HB2 allows people to use bathrooms in government buildings, schools and universities of the gender on their birth certificate, not with which they identify.

The NBA commissioner said if HB2 is still in effect, it will play a factor in if the All-Star Game comes to Charlotte in 2019.

He said the league will be monitoring the upcoming North Carolina elections, but ultimately it’s not its business how the state votes.

“I think we’re a one issue party so to speak when it comes to the All-Star Game and that’s about inclusiveness regardless of who wins the election,” Silver said. “There will be additional discussions with the NBA about bringing the game back. My sense is everyone would like to see that happen.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on monitoring upcoming NC elections: "we're a one issue party when it comes to the All-Star Game" pic.twitter.com/DthRXH7iYL
— Phil Orban (@philorbanWSOC9) October 18, 2016