Warns Again NBA Could Move Game Over HB2 and Lack of Basic LGBT ProtectionsÂ
Taking a firmer stance NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Thursday warned he may still move the 2017 All-Star Game out of North Carolina if a viable compromise over HB2 is not reached. Silver has previously warned North Carolina, stating again basic LGBT protections must be in place.
Silver has made clear he does not want to deliver an ultimatum and would rather work behind the scenes, which he says he’s doing.
“There is no line in the sand. We intentionally didn’t want to draw lines in the sand,†Silver said. The Charlotte Observer reports Silver “has been in North Carolina in the past three weeks, working to encourage a compromise between the legislature and Charlotte’s City Council.”
“I spoke to a lot of business leaders in Charlotte who are working behind the scenes to craft some sort of compromise with the governmental leaders, both in the city and the state,†Silver said.
“I think both sides of the issue realize, no matter how heartfelt their views are, that the current state-of-being is causing enormous economic damage to the state,†Silver said, adding, “There is absolutely strong interest in working something out.â€
But now he’s putting in place a deadline.
“I don’t see us getting past this summer without knowing definitely where we stand,†Silver added, saying he’s looking for “protection for the LGBT community in terms of economic rights, personal rights.â€
John Vrooman, a sports economics professor at Vanderbilt University told The Charlotte Observer, “The singular loss of the NBA All-Star game in itself will probably be more symbolic than real for Charlotte, but the more tangible mega-damage to the reputation and future of all of Carolina will be economically retrogressive.â€
Back in April, Silver said a change ton HB2 was “necessary” for the All-Star game to stay in North Carolina. It is worth at minimum $100 million to the state.
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Image of Adam Silver via Facebook