The idea of having a super-sized sporting event in Boston brings back memories of the ever-so-popular idea of the city hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics. Of course, there are some stark differences between an All-Star Game and the Olympics — an obvious one being the former is weekend-long and the other is two weeks in length — but the idea of Boston hosting a mad rush of people doesn't sound ideal for those who have no interest in attending the game.
Yet, Wyc Grousbeck, Steven Pagliuca and the rest of the Celtics' ownership group is looking to bring the NBA All-Star Game back to Boston, per Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. The city last played host to a major four sports All-Star Game in 1999 at Fenway Park, but there's been nothing this century. As for the NBA All-Star Game specifically — the first of which was hosted in Boston — that hasn't been played in the city since 1964.
With the Utah Jazz set to host the event next season and Indianapolis Pacers doing so in 2024, the soonest the TD Garden could play host — assuming Celtics ownership works things out with the Bruins, who of course own the arena — is 2025.
While this isn't necessarily a way for the franchise to get a big boost in money, playing this game in Boston would expose the game's greatest players to the city for more than their standard quick, midseason trips. Given some of the difficulties the Celtics have experienced with recruiting star players in the past, this could be a strong play to help address that problem.
