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NBA Commissioner: NC Law 'Problematic' But Keeping All-Star Game, For Now

NBA Commissioner: NC Law 'Problematic' But Keeping All-Star Game, For Now
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)

By    |   Friday, 15 April 2016 04:56 PM EDT

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says the league for the moment is keeping its 2017 All-Star Game in Charlotte despite its disappointment with North Carolina's new law banning transgenders from using restrooms that don't match their biological sex.

At a press conference Friday, Silver said "the law as it now stands in North Carolina is problematic for the league," ABC News reports. "There was no discussion of moving the All-Star game. The view in the room was we should be working toward change in North Carolina." 

"I would say I'm very concerned about singling out any minority group, in this case, minority groups based on sexual orientation or gender identification," Silver added.

"The league believes that these groups need to be protected, but again, I think the right way to work to the proper resolution here is for the league to remain engaged in the conversation rather than setting ultimatums or announcing we're not going to play our All-Star game in Charlotte."

Silver has stressed the need for the NBA to further the cause of gay rights since becoming commissioner on Feb. 1, 2014.

That same month, he used the announcement by journeyman forward Jason Collins that he was gay to rebuke professional sports for being "behind" the social curve on the issue.

"I have mixed feelings, because I'm enormously proud that the first openly gay player is playing in the NBA," Silver told The New York Post at the time. "On the other hand, this is so long overdue that I don't think this should necessarily be on the list of the greatest accomplishments of the NBA.

"This is an area where no one in sports should be too proud. Sports has led society in so many critical areas … this is one where we fell behind."

The other three major sports leagues have all promoted gay rights in recent years.

In January, the NHL touted the Edmonton Oilers' use of "Pride Tape," a rainbow-hued tape for hockey sticks, at the team's annual Skills Competition for fans, with proceeds going to support LGBT initiatives.

The NFL last month threatened to remove Atlanta from consideration as a host of future Super Bowls if the state passed a Religious Freedom Bill protecting churches and pastors who refused to perform gay marriages.

And Major League Baseball teams routinely hold "Gay Night Out" themes as part of their home schedules.

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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says the league for the moment is keeping its 2017 All-Star Game in Charlotte despite its disappointment with North Carolina's new law banning transgenders from using restrooms that don't match their biological sex.
NBA, all-star, game, north carolina, law, adam silver
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2016-56-15
Friday, 15 April 2016 04:56 PM
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