Critics Call NBA Pulling All-Star Game Economic Embarrassment

CHARLOTTE, NC — The NBA is moving the 2017 All-Star Game out of the Queen City due to controversial House Bill Two.

New Orleans reportedly a top contender to take the All-Star weekend from Charlotte.
Critics called it.

“This didn’t need to happen,” said Sen. Jeff Jackson, (D) Mecklenburg County, “This could have been a moment of celebration for Charlotte. Instead, they turned it into a national economic embarrassment.”

Sen. Jeff Jackson fought lawmakers to make major changes to House Bill Two in June, arguing the basketball games will have a $100 million economic impact.

“That money was going to go into schools, roads, health care. Now, because of the Governor’s social warfare agenda, it’s not going to happen. It’s going to go somewhere else,” said Sen. Jackson.

Governor Pat McCrory was in Gastonia Thursday. He didn’t comment on House Bill Two. He later released a statement saying he’s not surprised and slammed what he called a political move by the NBA.

“American families should be on notice that the selective corporate elite are imposing their political will on communities in which they do business, thus bypassing the democratic and legal process,” Gov. McCrory wrote.

“He’s from Charlotte. He’s abandoned our city,” said Sen. Jackson.

The NBA warned lawmakers to make major changes to HB2 before session ended last month, but that didn’t happen.

The league now says,”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.”

HB2 author Rep. Dan Bishop, (R) Mecklenburg County, did not respond to WCCB Charlotte messages.

Senate Leader Phil Berger released a statement saying the bill protects families from sexual predators.

“Ultimately, the suggestion that state leaders should abandon our moral obligation to protect our constituents in order to keep one exhibition basketball game is absurd and shows a clear contrast in values,” said Sen. Berger.

House Speaker Tim Moore says Charlotte City Council brought this on itself by extending discrimination protections to the LGBT community.

“Anybody that tries to say that Charlotte has some blame in losing the all star game is lying to your face,” said Rep. Chris Sgro, (D) Guilford County.

Rep. Sgro is also Equality NC Director and wants a special session to repeal HB2.
“If we dont do that, then Pat McCrory is not going to be here in November because he cost the city of Charlotte $100 million,” said Rep. Sgro.

The Hornets President Fred Whitfield wrote,”While we are saddened that we will miss this tremendous opportunity, we are pleased that the NBA has opened the door for it to return to us in just two years.

Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts wrote, “All-Star weekend would have provided an excellent opportunity to further showcase our great and welcoming city. Charlotte has shown its commitment to equal rights and inclusion and will continue to promote those values.”

Charlotte Chamber of Commerce says its working with lawmakers to pursue a solution.

The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority says it hopes to work with the NBA again and can show Charlotte’s inclusive and welcoming spirit.

The NBA says that won’t come without lawmakers giving in on HB2.

“These guys in Raleigh don’t get it,” said Sen Jackson. “This is going to continue until they admit they made a mistake and repeal House Bill Two.”

The Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce says while it’s thankful for the NBA’s support of the LGBT community, it is sad businesses are losing money.