Silver: Moving All-Star Game From Utah Not Constructive
Apr 6, 2022, 3:12 PM
Salt Lake City will host the 2023 NBA All Star Game. (Photo: Ben Anderson / sports.ksl.com)
(Photo: Ben Anderson / sports.ksl.com)
SALT LAKE CITY – NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the 2023 All-Star game is going to stay in Utah as planned, despite the state passing the controversial HB11 bill that prevents transgender girls from competing in high school sports.
Silver held a press conference after Wednesday’s Board of Governors meeting and addressed the issue after the state passed the bill in March.
The NBA Commissioner offered his reasoning for leaving the game in Utah.
“I think by us coming to Utah and demonstrating what our values are in terms of diversity, respect, and inclusion, I think we can have the greatest impact,” Silver said.
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The league had previously pulled the 2017 NBA All-Star from Charlotte after it passed HB2 which required its citizens to use the bathroom that matched the gender on their birth certificate.
Silver said the league’s decision to move the game in 2017 came from its belief that it could have a direct impact on how HB2 was implemented.
“In North Carolina, we were working directly with the team there, and it appeared to us that there was an opportunity to have a direct impact on that law, meeting with and working with the larger business community,” Silver said.
“Our initial view working with the Utah Jazz is that we’re going to have to find a way to work in that environment and to create an inclusive environment for our game, rather than take the position that we have somehow an independent ability to change the minds of the voters of Utah.”
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The Jazz issued a statement last month condemning the passage of the bill.
“The Utah Jazz oppose discriminatory legislation. We are committed to our values of inclusivity, mutual respect, and fair play. Beyond basketball, we hope for an equitable solution that shows love and compassion for all our youth.”
The 2023 All-Star Game is set to be held on February 19 at Vivint Arena.
