The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association are discussing the possibility of holding an All-Star Game in early March – with Atlanta as the likely venue, according to sources to ESPN.
The traditional All-Star Weekend – previously scheduled for Indianapolis in February – has been canceled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but sources say ESPN there are ongoing talks with the league and union over a March 7 game in Atlanta that is far is. scaled-down version of the typical All-Star Weekend festivities, sources said.
The NBA has an inter-season break on March 5-10.
NBPA president Chris Paul of Phoenix Suns was a proponent of the idea, which would include the exhibit and benefit of historic black colleges and universities and COVID-19 emergency funds, sources said. Both the Atlanta Hawks’ State Farm Arena and the HBCU gyms in Atlanta are being considered to host a potential game, sources said.
Atlanta is home to Turner Sports, which can broadcast the game without having to travel its crew outside the city. Even a match without fans – or with a sparse, socially distributed attendance – would still have to regard players, support staff and league officials in the teeth of the pandemic. The typical presentation of corporate sponsors, a significant financial component of normal All-Star weekends, would not be possible.
Talks are centered on an exposed All-Star Game scenario that would be largely focused on the game – with little in the way of fan-related experiences, if any, around it, sources said.
The NBA has postponed 21 games in the regular season to be made up this season. The NBA awarded Indianapolis the 2024 All-Star Weekend to replace the loss to the 2021 event.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst contributed to this report.