NBA moves All-Star Game from Charlotte due to HB2

[MU82]

This doesn't have to be a "political" discussion, and I'm not saying a word. Just sharing information that would interest any serious basketball fan.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article91066222.html

[brandx]

This doesn't have to be a "political" discussion, and I'm not saying a word. Just sharing information that would interest any serious basketball fan.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article91066222.html

Funny. I was just going to start a thread on this (you beat me to it) and ask you specifically: What is the feeling in Charlotte about this? Is it too early to know yet who the city blames? Is there a negative reaction to the NBA or was this expected after the law passed in the state?

Being as how you are both a journalist and a resident in the area, I thought you would be the best person here to give a little insight on the whole deal.

[warriorOregon]

#freeMilo

[warriorOregon]

This doesn't have to be a "political" discussion, and I'm not saying a word. Just sharing information that would interest any serious basketball fan.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article91066222.html

Is the NBA All Star game a serious event?  For the serious basketball fan?

[4everwarriors]

Probably 'cuz it cost too much ta put urinals in da ladies biffer, ai na?

[real chili 83]

In before the lock.

[GGGG]

Is the NBA All Star game a serious event?  For the serious basketball fan?

Chicos sees a potentially political topic.  He REALLY wants to respond...but in the back of his brain, a little voice is telling him not to.

So this is what you get.  A compromise.  A weak a$$ diss of the All Star Game.

[MU82]

Funny. I was just going to start a thread on this (you beat me to it) and ask you specifically: What is the feeling in Charlotte about this? Is it too early to know yet who the city blames? Is there a negative reaction to the NBA or was this expected after the law passed in the state?

Being as how you are both a journalist and a resident in the area, I thought you would be the best person here to give a little insight on the whole deal.

Based upon the reaction in the Charlotte area to HB2 and its aftermath, the majority here do not appreciate the state saying what the city can and cannot do. It has been a fight about many things, including control of the airport, schools, etc., long before HB2 was passed.

Charlotte just fell in love with the Hornets again this past season after a dozen years of wandering in the wilderness. The team got its name back and put a good product on the floor, and the metro area definitely was looking forward to being in the spotlight for the ASG. Obviously, small businesspeople such as restaurant owners, shop owners and the like were looking forward to the major boost in business, as were the big corporations such as hotels, chain restaurants, etc.

The NBA tried very hard to give the state time to work things out. And even in pulling the game, the league has offered the 2019 ASG if HB2 is repealed.

There are plenty of people here who do not appreciate the NBA interfering with NC public policy. But plenty of others say what the NBA has done, as well as numerous businesses who have taken their jobs elsewhere, is a classic example of market forces trying to affect change.

I have tried to word this as factually as possible while leaving my personal feelings out of it. I discussed those at length in the former politics board, so I will not be discussing them here.

[Blackhat]

JFK Put a Man on the Moon, Obama Put a Man in the Girls' Bathroom

[brandx]

JFK Put a Man on the Moon, Obama Put a Man in the Girls' Bathroom

Shut it down mods!!

The morons are back.

[Jables1604]

In before the lock! Not that there's anything wrong with that...

[Blackhat]

IBTL

[MU82]

Unfortunately, I have to agree to have my own thread locked.

I thought we could be grownups here. I was wrong about some.

[forgetful]

JFK Put a Man on the Moon, Obama Put a Man in the Girls' Bathroom

This is why we can't have nice things. 

Lock this bad boy.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

So did anyone hear about that Pokeman Go thing?..............................

[Pakuni]

So did anyone hear about that Pokeman Go thing?..............................

[MerrittsMustache]

Supposedly, taking away the game will cost the state of North Carolina approximately $100M.

Personally, I think the NBA overstepped its bounds on this one. I also think it's hypocritical to take such a hard stand on this issue while still trying to expand the NBA brand in China.

(I don't think that was too political but the mods may see it differently)

[MU82]

Supposedly, taking away the game will cost the state of North Carolina approximately $100M.

Personally, I think the NBA overstepped its bounds on this one. I also think it's hypocritical to take such a hard stand on this issue while still trying to expand the NBA brand in China.

(I don't think that was too political but the mods may see it differently)

Those "impact" figures are always overblown. But even if it's half that or a quarter that, it's money the state -- and especially Charlotte businesses -- cannot recoup. It's not as if a sex toys convention is now going to swoop in on those dates and have that kind of economic impact.

I understand what folks say about the NBA trying to have it both ways: effecting local laws in the U.S. on the grounds of "the greater good" while doing business with a Chinese government that is evil in many ways.

All-Star Weekend is the NBA's "feel-good event." They go into a community and try to shine a light on everything wonderful about the league. Unlike the Finals, they know exactly where the ASG is going to be years in advance, so they can build a presence there and make it exactly what they want it to be.

China ... they would say that if they can go there and have some kind of positive influence, it's a victory. We all know that's BS, but it's part of their spin.

I don't think the league "overstepped its bounds." Nor do I believe that's true about any of the corporations that have chosen to take their business elsewhere. Nor do I believe that's true about the conventions that have pulled out or the performers who have canceled acts. It's their right as businesses, people and entities to not sell their goods and services where they feel uncomfortable. It's letting the free market decide.

I actually thought the NBA was pretty gracious in giving the state a shot at the 2019 All-Star Game. We'll see what happens.

[Lennys Tap]

I actually thought the NBA was pretty gracious in giving the state a shot at the 2019 All-Star Game. We'll see what happens.

I think the NBA's "You can have your franchise but you don't get a cookie unless you change your local politics" is arbitrary and silly.

[MerrittsMustache]

I don't think the league "overstepped its bounds." Nor do I believe that's true about any of the corporations that have chosen to take their business elsewhere. Nor do I believe that's true about the conventions that have pulled out or the performers who have canceled acts. It's their right as businesses, people and entities to not sell their goods and services where they feel uncomfortable. It's letting the free market decide.

Should the NBA pull the Hornets out of North Carolina? Should opposing teams be allowed to choose whether they want to play the Hornets in NC or at a neutral location where they don't "feel uncomfortable?"

[Blackhat]

This thread needs to become our free for all politics only thread.    Get another never ending thread going on this site.

How about that David Clarke?    Pretty impressive performance at the RNC. Boy was he mad at Obama #Bluelivesmatter

[mu03eng]

Should the NBA pull the Hornets out of North Carolina? Should opposing teams be allowed to choose whether they want to play the Hornets in NC or at a neutral location where they don't "feel uncomfortable?"

Interesting argument that I haven't seen made before.

The inherent issue is that there will always be some sort of limit to what economic force a corporation/entity can apply to a social cause. Does that mean if the cause is "right" but the organization can't uniformally exert it's influence in all scenarios it shouldn't do it at all?

So the ultimate question is should corporations not engage in social justice at all...or do we accept that they can engage at some level but not at all levels with forever up for debate being "did the engage enough"?

[MU82]

Should the NBA pull the Hornets out of North Carolina? Should opposing teams be allowed to choose whether they want to play the Hornets in NC or at a neutral location where they don't "feel uncomfortable?"

Silver actually discussed this at length a few months ago. He said he understands the NBA is a partner with the city of Charlotte and the state of North Carolina, and the league was making no threat to do this. He said the league would work with the team, the city and the state over time to make the product more "friendly" for all.

However, Silver said, when granting a "special" event such as the ASG, the NBA did have more of a bully pulpit and could exert influence. Observers equated it to the NFL pulling the Super Bowl from Phoenix when Arizona refused to recognize the MLK holiday. The NFL wasn't going to kick the Cardinals out of the league or move them, but it wasn't going to reward the state with a marquee event.

It is a fine line, and even though I happen to agree with the NBA's stance, I certainly understand how some might have problems with the league's judgment on this.

[Blackhat]

[GB Warrior]

This might be the first time the NBA all-star game has seen the defense of something.