North Carolina has paid a financial price for the passing of its House Bill 2 last March, the so-called “bathroom bill” that was seen as discriminatory against the LGBT community. Major performing artists like Bruce Springsteen and Adam Levine canceled concerts in the state and the NBA withdrew its NBA All-Star Weekend extravaganza, moving it to New Orleans instead. The NC legislature considers a repeal of the bill today, with the General Assembly holding a special session to deal with the bill.
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NBA commissioner Adam Silver has said he is eager to put the 2019 All-Star Game back in North Carolina, a basketball hotbed where the Charlotte Hornets franchise is owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan. Silver said returning to NC is a “high priority.” But the condition Silver set is the repeal of House Bill 2. Host cities have estimated its financial impact of NBA All-Star Weekend at $70-$100 million. That price alone should weigh heavily on North Carolina’s decision. It’s expected that the decision will follow the old adage about legislation: Want to see laws change? Follow the money.
