Barclays Center and the Brooklyn Nets will not be hosts to the 2017 NBA All-Star Game, Brian Lewis of The New York Post reports. The NBA is pulling its All-Star Game out of Charlotte because of the league's objections to North Carolina House Bill 2, which limited anti-discrimination protections for LGBT persons in the state.
An league source said Brooklyn is "not in that mix" for the 2017 #NBAAllStarGame that was moved from Charlotte. #nets
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) July 22, 2016
New Orleans appears to be the frontrunner...
In 2013 when the league awarded the game to Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center, the weekend was split between the two sites, with the game itself played at the Garden and a lot of the skills competitions, like the Dunk Contest and 3-point shootout, along with the Rising Stars Game, were held at Barclays.
The Nets, Knicks and NBA had somewhat of an agreement that would have brought the All-Star Game back to New York in 2017 or 2018, with the roles reversed: the All-Star Game would be played at Barclays, the prelims at MSG.
The Mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio, and President of Brooklyn, Eric Adams were both very open to hosting All-Star weekend.
NBA. If you want an inclusive city, respectful of all gender identities, to host All-Star game: NYC welcomes you back.
— Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) July 21, 2016
The @NBA made a compassionate choice to move its 2017 #AllStarGame to a city supportive of EVERY fan. I offer #Brooklyn as its new home.
— Eric Adams (@BPEricAdams) July 21, 2016
With the Islanders now playing at Barclays, it would've made things difficult anyway. The Isles are set to host the Colorado Avalanche on February 12 - the first day of events - usually headlined by the Rookie-Sophomore challenge.