The NBA "has yet to decide whether to move" the '17 All-Star Weekend out of Charlotte, "despite concerns about the North Carolina law known as House Bill 2," according to a front-page piece by Bonnell & Peralta of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver following the owners' meeting in Las Vegas said, "We recognize the calendar is not our friend. February is quickly approaching, especially in terms of big events like the All-Star games if we’re going to make alternative plans.” Silver said that the situation "was discussed at length with the league’s owners but that no vote was taken." He added that the decision "would be the responsibility of the league office, but he said he wanted to know where the owners stood." Silver: “We have made it very consistent we consider this law in conflict with our core values in this league. Given the amount of discussion, how hardened the views are, is this where we should be in 2017?” Silver indicated that while he is "still working to avoid moving the event, time and options are running short." Silver and other officials from the NBA and the Hornets have "worked behind the scenes the past few months to lobby for major changes in the law" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 7/13). Silver said, "We were frankly hoping that they would make some steps toward modifying the legislation, and frankly, I was disappointed that they didn't. And then coming out of that legislative session, we wanted the opportunity to talk directly to our teams" (ESPN.com, 7/12).
JOINING THE CAUSE: The AP's Brian Mahoney noted technology industry leaders "have urged" Silver to move the ASG out of Charlotte unless HB2 "is repealed 'in very short order.'" In a letter sent Friday, the execs tell Silver that "putting fans at risk of discrimination would 'send a terrible message about who the NBA is and what it values as an organization, and set a dangerous precedent.'" The letter was sent by SV Angel Founder and co-Managing Partner Ron Conway and "includes signatures from executives from companies such as Google, Reddit, PayPal, Lyft and Pinterest" (AP, 7/11).
HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM: In Houston, Jonathan Feigen notes the city's '15 defeat of Proposition 1, an anti-discrimination ordinance known as the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO), "could jeopardize future efforts to land NBA All Star events if the league views the Houston laws as similar to the North Carolina law." Silver said that the NBA "has specifically looked at laws in Houston and NBA cities while examining options in Charlotte." Silver: "We've been looking closely at the laws in all the jurisdictions in which we play." Feigen notes Houston hosted the '06 and '13 NBA All-Star games in Toyota Center, "along with the other related events throughout the week." The '89 All-Star Game "was also held" in the city (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 7/13).
