NBA and NBPA discussing All-Star Game in Atlanta in March
NBA and NBPA discussing holding All-Star Game in Atlanta in March; traditional All-Star Weekend, scheduled for Indianapolis in February, was cancelled due to coronavirus; NBPA president Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns supports the idea
Tuesday 26 January 2021 07:05, UK
The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) are engaged in discussions about the possibility of holding an All-Star Game in early March.
The NBA cancelled its traditional All-Star Weekend, which had been scheduled for Indianapolis in February, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But according to ESPN, the sides are discussing moving the game, along with scaled-down All-Star Weekend events, to Atlanta on March 7. The NBA's midseason break is from March 5-10.
The game could be held at the Hawks' State Farm Arena or at one of the city's historically black colleges and universities' (HBCU) campus gyms.
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NBPA president Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns supports the idea, which would feature HBCUs and provide COVID-19 relief funding.
Holding an All-Star Game would be a massive undertaking. Atlanta-based Turner Sports could televise the game, but it would still require a significant effort to coordinate travel arrangements for players, staff, and officials during a time of uncertainty.
The game also would not include hosting any sponsors, and attendance would be extremely limited, if fans are permitted to attend at all.
The NBA awarded Indianapolis the 2024 All-Star Weekend after it was cancelled this year.
