For Pete's Sake

For Pete's Sake

For Pete's Sake

Mayor Sly James’ latest plan: Bring NBA All-Star Game to KC

By Pete Grathoff

pgrathoff@kcstar.com

July 22, 2016 05:38 PM

In this June 23, 2015 file photo, NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan posed for a photo during a news conference to announce Charlotte, N.C., as the site of the 2017 NBA All-Star basketball game. The NBA is moving the 2017 All-Star Game out of Charlotte because of its objections to a North Carolina law that limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay and transgender people.
In this June 23, 2015 file photo, NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan posed for a photo during a news conference to announce Charlotte, N.C., as the site of the 2017 NBA All-Star basketball game. The NBA is moving the 2017 All-Star Game out of Charlotte because of its objections to a North Carolina law that limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay and transgender people. Chuck Burton The Associated Press
In this June 23, 2015 file photo, NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan posed for a photo during a news conference to announce Charlotte, N.C., as the site of the 2017 NBA All-Star basketball game. The NBA is moving the 2017 All-Star Game out of Charlotte because of its objections to a North Carolina law that limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay and transgender people. Chuck Burton The Associated Press

Before the Sprint Center opened or was even approved to be built, there was talk that an NBA or NHL team would one day call the arena home.

That obviously hasn’t happened, but the Sprint Center has been home to an NBA and/or NHL preseason game nearly each year.

And while there has been no talk of an expansion team moving to Kansas City or a franchise relocating, Kansas City mayor Sly James did whet the appetite of basketball fans.

On Thursday, the NBA announced that it was moving the 2017 All-Star Game out of Charlotte because of North Carolina’s House Bill 2. The North Carolina governor signed the bill into law and it requires that transgender people use bathrooms in government buildings that correspond to the gender identity on their birth certificates. Its definition of nondiscrimination excludes gender identity and sexual orientation.

The NBA has not announced where it will move the All-Star Game, but there was support in Kansas City for James’ proposal. Heck, some people were pushing for it before James tweeted.

Pete Grathoff: 816-234-4330, @pgrathoff

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