NBA Threatens to Pull All-Star Game from Charlotte After Controversial Legislation Passes

After North Carolina signed a controversial bill into law today, the NBA is having second thoughts about holding the 2017 All-Star Game in Charlotte.

House Bill 2, explained here by ABC News, overrides all local ordinances concerning wages, employment, and public accommodations with state law, barring local governments from creating their own anti-discrimination laws. As the ABC article points out, North Carolina does have statewide laws prohibiting discrimination but sexual orientation is not designated in them.

The law also directs that all government administrated restrooms (public schools and government agencies) require that patrons use only the restroom designated by the gender on their birth certificate.

In response, the NBA has issued the following statement:

NBA Statement Regarding Legislation Recently Signed Into Law In North Carolina pic.twitter.com/xwoOo9MyeR

— NBA (@NBA) March 24, 2016

Charlotte's Time Warner Cable Arena privately-owned and its restrooms would not be governed by the law. Nevertheless the NBA has taken a strong stance against discrimination and appears to be following it up with this public declaration.