“It
was there during an NBA’s Board of Governors meeting, USA Today sports later
reported, that Warriors President Rick Welts — who is openly gay — told league
owners that he would not feel comfortable attending the All-Star Game in
Charlotte given the passage of North Carolina House Bill 2, a law that removed
some anti-discrimination protections from gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender people” (Dawson, 2016).
For
practically any big event, from the Olympics, to the Super Bowl, rugby and
soccer tournaments, and of course, the NBA All Star Game, there is some sort of
bidding process that takes place, where large cities across the United States
put together their best package to offer to the leaders of professional sports
leagues, in an effort to have the opportunity to play host to some of the
world’s largest sporting events. In theory, cities will see economic boosts
from hosting an event, especially if they already have the infrastructure in
place. In some other cases, like the very recent Rio Olympics, it may be a
struggle to pull together what is needed to seamlessly host a successful event.
The
NBA All Star game occurs every Spring, and is an opportunity to show case some
of the more fun aspects of Basketball, like slam dunk contests and skills challenges.
Like many other events, it moves every year to a new city. The 2017 All Star
Game was being planned for Charlotte, NC. On July 21, 2016, the NBA announced
that due to conflicting opinions and values in regards to a recent law that was
passed in North Carolina that has been criticized as discriminatory against
LGBT people in the state, they will not be bringing their game, nor the out of
town fans and economic boost to North Carolina. “We know that hosting an NBA All-Star Game generates a
healthy seven-, eight-figure economic impact,” Gahl said. “There’s also a
marketing win in hosting a major sporting event.” (Taylor, 2016)
Of
course, other cities jumped at the opportunity to put in their bid, but
considering that the conversation was beginning in July, and the game occurs in
February, there was little time to be wasted. New Orleans was recently awarded
the All Star Game, after rushing to quickly deliver their package, representing
the ability to excitement of the city in reference to the opportunity. “In less than a month,
city officials cleared significant hotel space, moved major events and
convinced the league that New Orleans was prepared for an influx of additional
visitors on the already-crowded weekend that opens Mardi Gras” (Dawson, 2016).
Beyond
the need for any city that hopes to host this event to show that they have the
ability to house the many pieces of the All Star Game, to offer hospitality
services to the influx of fans and just generally pull off the weekend, there
is now a new factor that is being considered. Does the NBA, the back office
officials, the players and the fans, want to be associated with your city and
its politics? This brings a crazy new element to state politics, will a change
in laws create a huge political AND economic backlash if they create outcasts? “Louisiana
is the only state in its footprint — including Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia,
Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina, which have NBA cities — that has a state
law prohibiting discrimination against public employees based on sexual
orientation and gender identity, according to the Human Rights Campaign. That
protection is the result of an executive order signed by Gov. John Bel Edwards
in April” (Dawson, 2016)
Other
cities are not wasting time in their attempt to lure the All Star Game to their
homes and their stadiums over the years, and bidding will start soon for 2019. “Indiana
Sports Corp. would look to secure sponsorships for the event and Visit Indy
would ensure the availability for hotels and the convention center…We know that
hosting an NBA All-Star Game generates a healthy seven-, eight-figure economic
impact,” Gahl said. “There’s also a marketing win in hosting a major sporting
event.” (Taylor, 2016)
With
this new element added to the mix, it will be interesting to see how the All
Star Game travels around the country from here on out.
REFERENCES
Dawson, B. (2016, August 19). 'A huge whirlwind': How New Orleans landed the NBA All-Star Game in 29 days. Retrieved August 24, 2016, from http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/pelicans/article_2df9d922-6661-11e6-8efb-eb99929198f4.html
NBA All-Star Game History. (n.d.).
Retrieved August 24, 2016, from http://www.nba.com/history/all-star/
Steinmetz, K. (2016, July 24). The NBA
Took the All-Star Game Away From Charlotte. Here's Why It Matters. Retrieved
August 24, 2016, from
http://time.com/4419503/nba-all-star-game-charlotte-north-carolina-lgbt/
Taylor, N. (2016, February 13). Pacers
to make case for hosting NBA's All Star Game. Retrieved August 24, 2016, from
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2016/02/13/pacers-plan-make-case-hosting-nba-all-star-game/80341416/
