• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 12, 2025

NBA All-Star Weekend: Business is Booming

After the passing of HB2, the NBA moved the All-Star game from Charlotte to New Orleans. Image via the NBA

After the passing of HB2, the NBA moved the All-Star game from Charlotte to New Orleans. Image via the NBA

Each winter, the NBA gathers its best talent for three days of celebration and exhibition. The host city is always a hot-spot destination for celebrities and corporate sponsors. This year’s NBA All-Star Weekend will run from Feb. 17–19 and feature the league’s top 24 players.

However, this season’s game holds some surrounding controversy.

Originally, the game was to be played in Charlotte, North Carolina (home of the Hornets), but lawmakers passed a bill in 2016 that the NBA felt didn’t align with their values as a league.

Want more great content like this? Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter!

The league objected to the state’s House Bill 2, which limits anti-discrimination protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the state. Rumors of turmoil began to circulate and on July 22, the decision to move the 2017 All-Star Weekend was made.

Shortly after, the NBA released a statement.

“Since March, when North Carolina enacted HB2 and the issue of legal protections for the LGBT community in Charlotte became prominent, the NBA and the Charlotte Hornets have been working diligently to foster constructive dialogue and try to effect positive change. We have been guided in these discussions by the long-standing core values of our league. These include not only diversity, inclusion, fairness and respect for others but also the willingness to listen and consider opposing points of view.”

“Our week-long schedule of All-Star events and activities is intended to be a global celebration of basketball, our league, and the values for which we stand, and to bring together all members of the NBA community — current and former players, league and team officials, business partners, and fans. While we recognize that the NBA cannot choose the law in every city, state, and country in which we do business, we do not believe we can successfully host our All-Star festivities in Charlotte in the climate created by HB2.”

Not long after the NBA announced its plans, New Orleans became the heavy favorite as the new host. The mid-season exhibition will now be played at Smoothie King Center, home of the New Orleans Pelicans. It will be the 66th NBA All-Star Game in league history and the third time it has been hosted in Louisiana.

The NBA All-Star Game is big business for New Orleans. The 2014 game generated $106.1 million in economic impact and $60.4 million in direct spending for New Orleans, according to a recent study by the University of New Orleans’ Hospitality Research Center.

Visitors spent an average of $904 during their mid-February trip to New Orleans, according to UNO’s study. As a result of such a large influx of out-of-town attendees at the event, roughly $4.9 million in tax revenue was generated for the state of Louisiana, with $3.2 million in tax revenue going to governments in the New Orleans area.

James B. McDaniel, a sports radio host at ESPN 97.7 in Louisiana had this to say about All-Star Weekend and the impact it has on the host city.

“New Orleans has always been one big party, but the level of star power, excitement and engagement that comes along with All-Star Weekend is rarely matched by anything short of Mardi Gras,” he said. “While I don’t think the economic impact is transformative, due to New Orleans being a convention and event-heavy city, I do think it is both meaningful and significant.”

Reflecting on the 2014 festivities, McDaniel was candid.

“I can say without a doubt that the last All-Star Weekend that was held in New Orleans was one of the most fun weekends I have ever experienced. I ended up on the VIP list for a Snoop Dogg concert I didn’t even know was happening.”

Comparing New Orleans to the rest of the country, McDaniel put it simply.

“One of my favorite quotes by Tennessee Williams is, ‘America has only three cities: New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans. Everywhere else is Cleveland.’ New Orleans is magical. It’s a city that lives in people’s imaginations. It’s a city that everyone is looking for an excuse to visit.”

The Crescent City’s success with the 2008 and 2014 All-Star games, experience as a big-event host city and user-friendly infrastructure established it as the clear favorite among NBA officials. It also helped that Gov. John Bel Edwards, unlike his colleagues across the South who passed similar Carolina-style laws, issued an executive order against discrimination of the LGBT community.

The Hornets and owner Michael Jordan also released a statement. “We understand the NBA’s decision and the challenges around holding the NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte this season,” it read. “There was an exhaustive effort from all parties to keep the event in Charlotte, and we are disappointed we were unable to do so. With that said, we are pleased that the NBA opened the door for Charlotte to host All-Star Weekend again as soon as an opportunity was available in 2019.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a press statement on the change. “New Orleans is a world-class destination for sports and entertainment and we are very appreciative that the city is once again hosting our All-Star festivities,” Silver said. “We are grateful to Tom and Gayle Benson and the Pelicans organization and to Governor John Bel Edwards, Mayor Mitch Landrieu and the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation for inviting us back for what promises to be another exciting and memorable celebration of the game.”

The game features 24 elite players with the starting 10 selected by a combination of fan, player, and media votes. The league’s coaches then chose the 12 reserves.

The NBA's Rising Stars Competition will be one of the many events to watch. Image via the NBA

The NBA’s Rising Stars Competition will be one of the many events to watch. Image via the NBA

In addition to the game, the Smoothie King Center will host the Rising Stars Challenge (USA vs. World) February 17th and All-Star Saturday Night (Skills Challenge, Three-Point Contest, Slam Dunk) February 18th. The NBA All-Star Practice, Celebrity Game and Development League All-Star Game will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Next year, the 2018 edition of ASW will take place in Los Angeles, CA at Staples Center.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Alex Rodriguez

Finally in Charge, A-Rod Says Timberwolves Need New Arena

Rodriguez and Lore would like to repair team relations with Kevin Garnett.
Jeff Kaplan

Letting PE Invest in Family-Owned Teams Is a ‘Watershed’

Liquidity gives owners greater flexibility to manage salary cap.
Jul 10, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter of their game at Thomas & Mack Center.

Cooper Flagg Makes Mavericks, New Balance Debut in Win Over Bronny

Thursday marked Flagg’s first game donning New Balance shoes.
Oct 27, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; A general view of the Wells Fargo Center before game between Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens.

New Philly Arena Will Redefine Home-Court Advantage, CEO Says

The forthcoming venue will arrive with plenty of ambition among its owners.

Featured Today

Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
Gabby Thomas
exclusive
June 12, 2025

Grand Slam Track Cancels Los Angeles Meet As $30 Million Track Start-Up..

Sources close to Grand Slam insist money is not an issue.
June 13, 2025

What Rolapp’s NFL Exit Means—and the Top Candidates to Replace Him

NFL media boss Brian Rolapp leaves; the league hunts for his replacement.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
May 23, 2025

New LPGA Commissioner: Women’s Golf ‘Really Hard’ to Find on TV

Former PGA of America COO Craig Kessler will lead the tour.
Donald Trump, Nick Saban
May 22, 2025

Proposed Trump College Sports Commission May Never Happen

The White House is not sure of its plans.
May 15, 2025

PGA Championship Tees Off With Free Food, Record Hospitality Sales

General admission includes unlimited food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Jun 12, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; St. Louis Blues center Ivan Barbashev (49) and right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the Boston Bruins in game seven of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden
May 15, 2025

The 10 Biggest Stanley Cup Upsets of All Time

Since the 1984–1985 NHL season, 10 squads have defied the odds.