NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said
Thursday that the league needs a resolution to a North Carolina law
that targets the LGBT community by the end of summer for the 2017
All-Star Game to remain in Charlotte.
Speaking to reporters in Oakland before
Game 1 of the NBA finals, Silver reiterated the NBA's opposition to
the controversial law.
Lawmakers approved and Republican
Governor Pat McCrory signed House Bill 2 during a one-day special
session convened in March. The law blocks cities from enacting LGBT
protections and bars transgender people from using the bathroom of
their choice in government buildings, including schools.
Silver said that he needed to see
definitive progress by the end of summer to ensure Charlotte remains
the host city.
“I don't see how we would get past
this summer without knowing definitively where we stand,” Silver
said.
Several entertainers have canceled
performances in North Carolina to protest House Bill 2.
“I think both sides of the issue
recognize, however heartfelt their views are, that the current state
of being is causing enormous economic damage to the state,” Silver
said.
Silver said that the league was looking
at the “core principles” of inclusion and diversity.
“I think there are other fundamental
issues that I think if we can work through with the community to
ensure those basic protections are given to the LGBT community,”
Silver said. “I think if we can make progress there, we will see
you all in Charlotte next February.”