Report: Pulling All-Star Game was NBA decision, not owner vote
The decision to pull next February's All-Star weekend from Charlotte over the state of North Carolina's controversial HB2 law was made by the NBA head office, and was not subject to a vote among the league's 30 owners, according to ESPN's Rachel Nichols.
Several owners have made statements in support of the move, including Hornets majority partner Michael Jordan.
Nichols reports that during recent owner meetings, Golden State Warriors president Rick Welts gave a speech on the impact of the law many feel unfairly discriminates against LGBTQ people. Welts is believed to be the first openly gay executive in major North American sports, and on Thursday he offered his thoughts on the situation.
The City of Charlotte and the @Hornets are tremendous - here's to 2019.
— Rick Welts (@RickWelts) July 22, 2016
The NBA said in its statement Thursday that they would like to reschedule the event in Charlotte for 2019, "provided there is an appropriate resolution" to the legislative issue.
However, North Carolina's Republican governor Pat McCrory has since doubled down on the state's stance, saying "the selective corporate elite are imposing their political will on communities in which they do business."