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The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association are discussing the possibility of hosting an All-Star Game in early March with Atlanta becoming the likely site, sources at ESPN say.
The traditional All-Star weekend – previously scheduled for Indianapolis in February – has been called off due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but sources tell ESPN there are ongoing talks with the league and the union about a March 7 game in Atlanta that would be a far-reduced version of typical All-Star weekend festivities, sources say.
The NBA has a mid-season hiatus scheduled for March 5-10.
NBPA President Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns has been a supporter of the idea, which would include the presentation and benefit of historically black colleges and universities and COVID-19 relief funds, sources said. The Atlanta Hawks’ State Farm Arena and Atlanta-based HBCU campus gyms are under consideration to host a potential game, sources said.
Atlanta is the birthplace of Turner Sports, which could televise the game without its crew having to travel out of town. Even a game without supporters – or with sparse and socially remote attendance – would still require significant travel for players, support staff and officials in the pandemic-stricken league. Typical corporate sponsor accommodation, an important financial component of normal All-Star weekends, would not be possible.
Discussions center on a stripped-down star-play storyline that would be largely gaming-focused – with little fan-related experiences, if any, surrounding it, sources said.
The NBA has postponed 21 regular season games that will need to be caught this season. The NBA awarded Indianapolis the 2024 All-Star Weekend to replace the event’s loss in 2021.
Brian Windhorst of ESPN contributed to this report.
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