NBA returns all-star game to North Carolina after transgender law lifted

The NBA announced today that Charlotte will host NBA All-Star 2019. The 68th NBA All-Star Game will take place at Spectrum Center, home of the Hornets, on Sunday, February 17, 2019.

Regarding the announcement of Charlotte as the host of the 2019 All-Star Game, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said: “We have decided to award NBA All-Star 2019 to Charlotte based on this deep connection and the belief that we can honor our shared values of equality and inclusion, and we are excited to bring the All-Star Game back to Charlotte for the first time in 28 years.

“While we understand the concerns of those who say the repeal of HB2 did not go far enough, we believe the recent legislation eliminates the most egregious aspects of the prior law. Additionally, it allows us to work with the leadership of the Hornets organization to apply a set of equality principles to ensure that every All-Star event will proceed with open access and anti-discrimination policies. All venues, hotels and businesses we work with during All-Star will adhere to these policies as well."