All Star Weekend

“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/