The NBA made it official Tuesday—Michael Jordan and the Charlotte Hornets will be the hosts of the League’s midseason extravaganza in a couple of years.
All-Star Weekend will return to Buzz City in 2017 after a 26-year hiatus.
Charlotte has been selected to host NBA All-Star 2017!
66th annual game will take place at @TWCArena (home of the @Hornets) Feb. 19, 2017.
— 2016 NBA All-Star (@NBAAllStar) June 23, 2015
"I remember playing the @NBAAllStar game in Charlotte and the feeling of being home. I can't wait to bring that back" pic.twitter.com/Mnj5g50UX6
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) June 23, 2015
The Hornets had to make costly improvements to their gym in order to win the hosting gig.
From the press release:
The NBA announced today that Charlotte has been selected to host NBA All-Star 2017. The 66th annual game will take place at Time Warner Cable Arena, home of the Hornets, on Sunday, Feb. 19. The 2017 game will mark the second NBA All-Star celebration in Charlotte, which hosted the event in 1991.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made the announcement this morning during a press conference at Time Warner Cable Arena, where he was joined by Charlotte Mayor Dan Clodfelter, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory, Mecklenburg County Commission Chairman Trevor Fuller, Hornets President & COO Fred Whitfield, and Hornets Chairman Michael Jordan, who was the leading scorer of the 1991 NBA All-Star Game at the Charlotte Coliseum. […] “As a thriving city with a proud basketball tradition and a deep passion for the game, the city of Charlotte is a terrific All-Star destination,” said Silver. “We thank Michael Jordan, the Hornets organization and the Charlotte community for their support and congratulate them on bringing our All-Star festivities back to North Carolina.”
“It is an honor to bring NBA All-Star back to Charlotte,” Jordan said. “I remember the excitement of playing in the 1991 All-Star Game, the first one held in my home state, and I take pride in being able to host NBA All-Star 2017 as the owner of the Hornets. This is a great moment for our fans, our city, and our franchise. We are excited to welcome the world to Charlotte and Time Warner Cable Arena in 2017.”
