NBA to hold 2017 All-Star Game in New Orleans

The NBA will hold the 2017 All-Star Game in New Orleans.

The NBA will hold the 2017 All-Star Game in New Orleans, the league announced Friday.

The NBA decided to move the game from Charlotte, N.C. because of House Bill 2, a state law that limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. It could cost Charlotte more than $100 million in revenue.

The Charlotte Hornets said they understood why the league moved the game, while the NBPA said they support the move. The NBA said it hopes to reschedule the game for Charlotte in 2019.

"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," the NBA said in a statement when it announced the change.

The 2017 game will mark the third time that New Orleans has hosted the All-Star Game. The city hosted the game in 2008 and 2014, with both games being won by the Eastern Conference.

The 2018 All-Star Game will be played at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. 

- Scooby Axson