Possible Texas Legislature May Cost Them All-Star Game

NBC Sports reports that proposed legislature in Texas may cost the state an NBA All-Star Game, according to Adam Silver.

After North Carolina passed its controversial HB2 law, commonly known as the “bathroom law” due to the section that excluded transgender individuals from accessing the restrooms that matched their correct gender, it cost the state as the location for the NBA All-Star game. Silver had said at the time that, “we’re not bringing our All-Star Game to your city if that discriminatory law is on the books”. The NBA was not the only business to pull their support from the state in the wake of the law, many businesses and musical guests refusing to cooperate with it as well.

Texas is currently considering similar legislature to the one that was passed in North Carolina, causing some comment on how that will affect the chances of Houston, a frontrunner for the 2020 or 2021 All-Star Game, being able to host if the law passes. Here’s what Silver had to say on the subject:

You know, I’m not ready to draw bright lines. Clearly, though, the laws of the state, ordinances, and cities are a factor we look at in deciding where to play our All-Star Games. I think the issue is we’d have to look at the specific legislation and understand its impact. I mean, I’m not ready to stand here today and say that that is the bright line test for whether or not we will play All-Star Games in Texas. It’s something we’re, of course, going to monitor very closely. What we’ve stated is that our values, our league-wide values in terms of equality and inclusion are paramount to this league and all the members of the NBA family, and I think those jurisdictions that are considering legislation similar to HB2 are on notice that that is an important factor for us. Those values are an important factor for us in deciding where we take a special event like an All-Star Game.

If Texas does pass this new law, the state will have to face the consequences just as North Carolina did. Whether they do or don’t pass the law, it remains to be seen if Texas will be able to host the All-Star Game any time in the near future.

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