The NBA will hold its All-Star Game on March 7 in Atlanta, but the city’s mayor wants no fans coming to the city for the festivities.
Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms expressed on Tuesday that fans should not plan on coming to the city, adding that bars and clubs should also prohibit from promoting events.
“Under normal circumstances, we would be extremely grateful for the opportunity to host the NBA All-Star Game,” she said, per NBC11 Alive’s Chenue Her. “I have shared my concerns related to public health and safety with the NBA and Atlanta Hawks. We are in agreement that this is a made-for-TV event only, and people should not travel to Atlanta to party.
“There will be no sanctioned events open to the public and we strongly encourage promoters, clubs, bars, etc. not to host events in the city related to this game.”
Atlanta has been one of the few NBA cities that has fans, albeit a limited amount, attending games. The All-Star Game is not a ticketed event, however, and will consists of 1,200 to 1,500 local healthcare workers and students/staff from local HBCUs and family members of players.
Despite the exclusivity of the event, the NBA All-Star weekend could be something that draws fans from all over to a centralized location.
Just two weeks ago, Tampa saw its bars and streets packed with maskless fans and patrons leading up to the Super Bowl.
The NBA initially canceled the All-Star Game, which was originally scheduled to take place in Indianapolis, but decided over the last few weeks to put together an event in Atlanta.
Many players have expressed skepticism and dismay about the decision.
The NBA All-Star game is typically a three-day event, but this year it will consist of just the game on Sunday, March 7, with the dunk and 3-point contest to take place before the game.
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