Report: Charlotte to host 2017 NBA All-Star Game
The city of Charlotte has won the bid to host the 2017 NBA All-Star Game, according to the Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell.
An official announcement, featuring commissioner Adam Silver, is expected Tuesday.
It will mark the first time since 1991 that Charlotte has hosted the mid-February festivities, and the first time the event will be held at Time Warner Cable Arena.
The city of Charlotte agreed last year to pay $33.5 million out of the $40 million necessary to upgrade the arena, something Silver had said would clear the way for Time Warner to surely host an All-Star Weekend in the near future.
While the 2014-15 season was a step backward for the franchise after a surprising postseason appearance last year, hosting an All-Star game presents the team an opportunity to prolong the momentum they picked up by rebranding as the Hornets this season.
The 1991 game saw the Eastern Conference defeat the West in a thrilling 116-114 affair, with Charles Barkley - then a Philadelphia 76er - taking home MVP honors.