Charlotte Hornets: Losing the 2017 All Star Game?
The Charlotte Hornets could lose the right to host the All Star Game next year based on a dispute between state and local governments.
The Charlotte Hornets could have a problem on their hands. They could find themselves the victims of a political controversy. It all started when the City of Charlotte passed an anti-discrimination measure that would allow transgender people use of restrooms that they felt suited their gender identity.
The state of North Carolina responded by passing legislation to deny local governments the right to institute such rules. Municipalities like Charlotte are ‘creatures of the state’ and thus subject to the state government in a direct fashion. Governor Pat McCrory, former Charlotte mayor, signed the bill into law.
Now comes the part where the Hornets are involved. The NBA, which is a business with huge reach and sponsorship deals, has made noises that it does not want to be closely associated with places that deny inclusiveness. Right now it is threatening to move All Star Weekend 2017 out of the city, after the Hornets worked so hard to bring the big event to Charlotte. That included money for arena improvements.
Nothing has happened yet, but the NBA has made interesting moves based on their support of diversity before. This is the organization that essentially stripped Donald Sterling of his franchise for offensive views held in a private conversation.
Other businesses are also making their voices heard. Disney threatened to have no business with the state of Georgia after legislators there tried to pass religious liberty legislation that would have had the effect of discriminating against the LGBT community. Tennessee backed off of passing such legislation noting the potential economic cost.
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If the NBA were to relocate the All Star Game, it would be a reversal in the push to make basketball relevant again in Charlotte. The single biggest influence is still the overall success of the Hornets. Right now the Hornets appear to be a playoff team on the rise, but some might turn their backs again if the NBA moved to hurt the franchise like this. After all it was the NBA who allowed the Hornets to leave in the first place.
Yet the NBA would be doing it understanding that their global brand may be more important than the fate of any single fanbase. They do not want to be the target of fan or sponsor revolt.
This is not to weigh in on whether the City of Charlotte or the State of North Carolina is in the right here. This is merely to point out the likelihood of the NBA moving the All Star Game and the potential consequences of losing the All Star Game at a critical time for the franchise.