Sports

Charlotte Hornets to Host NBA All-Star Game in 2017

Published

9 years ago

June 23, 2015

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan, right, pose for a photo during a news conference, Tuesday, June 23, 2015, to announce Charlotte, N.C., as the site of the 2017 NBA All-Star basketball game. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

STEVE REED, AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Michael Jordan vowed to restore interest in the Charlotte Hornets when he took over as the franchise’s majority owner in 2010.

That has included bringing the team’s name back to the city and now he has the NBA bringing its All-Star game back to Charlotte.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced at the team’s downtown arena Tuesday that the Hornets will host the league’s annual showcase event in 2017.

It is the first time the game will be played in Charlotte since 1991, when the Hornets were one of the more popular teams in the league and regularly among the NBA leaders in attendance despite limited success in the postseason. Jordan hopes hosting All-Star game will be another step in putting the franchise back on the map.

“It’s a constant process to get back to the top,” Jordan said Tuesday. “At one point this team was on top. And we took a long fall.”

Former Hornets owner George Shinn moved the franchise to New Orleans in 2002 following a bitter breakup with city leaders, leaving Charlotte without an NBA franchise for two seasons. The Charlotte Bobcats joined the league as an expansion team in 2004 under owner Bob Johnson, but the connection between the team and the fans failed to flourish.

Jordan has helped restore some of that interest since purchasing the team five years ago.

It has still been a struggle on the court though, as the franchise has fought through some tough seasons including an all-time NBA worst 7-59 record in 2011-12.

“The events we have gone through the past five years is our passage back to the top,” Jordan said. “It’s been a lot of work. … There are a lot of little things you have to do to get to the top. You don’t get to the top laying around in bed. You got to get out of bed and you have to move in the right direction. I had to crack the whip. I had to keep it going.”

Silver said having Jordan, one of the NBA’s most recognized figures, in Charlotte was one of the draws in bringing the All-Star game here.

“I give him an ‘A’ for all of the things that he is doing in the community,” Silver said. “We wouldn’t be bringing an All-Star game to Charlotte if we didn’t think he was an A-level performer in terms of management of a franchise.”

Silver said Jordan has realized it requires a long-term vision for building a successful franchise and there are no shortcuts.

“Michael understood coming in that, like any other business, you only get out what you put into them,” Silver said. “Michael is still in his rookie era of ownership. It’s like players, you learn a lot over the years.”

Jordan, a 14-time NBA All-Star, played in the last game in Charlotte 24 years ago and called it “an honor to bring the game back to the city.”

“The fans will get a chance to see some of the best athletes in the world,” he said.

The city agreed to pay about $30 million in renovations to the arena when the Hornets submitted their All-Star bid. Silver said he’s pleased with the plans that have been made for renovations, which include upgrading the infrastructure, suites and scoreboard.

“The Charlotte Hornets are a first-class organization in this league,” the commissioner said.

The showcase event of the NBA weekend — scheduled for Feb. 19, 2017 — could be a homecoming for Golden State’s Stephen Curry. The NBA MVP grew up in Charlotte and attended nearby Davidson.

But there could be a bigger draw.

Silver said he would welcome the 52-year-old Jordan to play in a celebrity basketball game during All-Star weekend.

“I think there’s a special commissioner’s exemption for owners who want to participate,” Silver said with a laugh. “I’m sure we can find a space for Michael if he’s interested.”

The game will be carried in more than 200 countries and in 40 different languages. Hornets COO Fred Whitfield estimates the economic impact for the Charlotte community will be around $100 million.

Toronto will host next season’s All-Star game.

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Bay Area

Love Life Organization Shows Love

As part of Love Life Week, the Love Life Foundation was honored to produce the 1974-75 World Champion Golden State Warrior Day. It’s a shame that our first Bay Area World Championship team’s unique accolades had been lost in the pre social media era and the cultural revolution of the 1970s.

Published

5 days ago

October 28, 2024

Oakland Post

Members of the 1975 NBA championship team, Charles Dudley (left) and Clifford Ray (right) embrace Love Life Foundation leader Donald Lacy for his antiviolence mission. Courtesy photo.

City of Oakland Celebrates 1975 NBA World Championship Team

By Donald Lacy

Special to The Post

As part of Love Life Week, the Love Life Foundation was honored to produce the 1974-75 World Champion Golden State Warrior Day.

It’s a shame that our first Bay Area World Championship team’s unique accolades had been lost in the pre social media era and the cultural revolution of the 1970s.

The 1975 NBA World Championship team were invited back to the City of Oakland last Friday, to be properly celebrated for their ground-breaking performance in 1975.

The heartwarming ceremony highlighted the recent passing of the legendary coach of that team, Al Attlles, and his former players Clifford Ray and Charles Dudley were on hand to represent the “Cardiac Kids” as they were called back then for their ability to make great comeback victories during their run for the title.

Warriors great Chris Mullin and former spiritual advisor Gary Reeves gave heartfelt testimonies of their experiences under Attles’ leadership and their relationship with the inspiration they received from the NBA 1975 World Champion Golden State Warriors.

The City of Oakland provided proclamations to all parties with speeches made by city leadership including Mayor Sheng Thao and Deputy Mayor Dr. Kimberly Mayfield and activity host Love Life non-profit founder and Executive Director Donald E. Lacy Jr..

There will be a celebration of life event Nov. 9 honoring Attles’ legacy at Alameda College.

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California Black Media

Several Black Californians Are Playing Key Roles in LA 28 Olympics Planning

From politicians and businesspeople to athletes and community leaders, a number of Black Californians are contributing to the thought leadership that is shaping the planning of LA28, the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. At the forefront is Los Angeles’ first Black woman mayor, Karen Bass, who has, in many ways, become the face of the Games in the City of Angels.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 22, 2024

Oakland Post

From left to right: IOC Member Hong Zhang, IOC Vice President Nicole Hoevertsz, Rex Richardson, Mayor of Long Beach, LA28 President Casey Wasserman, James T. Butts, Mayor of Inglewood, IOC President Thomas Bach, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, the President of the Los Angeles City Council (IOC/Greg Martin)

By Lila Brown, California Black Media

At the forefront is Los Angeles’ first Black woman mayor, Karen Bass, who has, in many ways, become the face of the Games in the City of Angels.

“The 2028 Games present an incredible opportunity to unite our city and lift up every corner of Los Angeles,” said Bass during a historic event at Los Angeles City Hall on Sept. 13, when the Olympic and Paralympic flags were unveiled and installed.

The event marked the return of the Olympic flag to L.A. since 1984, when the city hosted the Olympics for the second time. It was the first time the Paralympic flag was raised in California’s largest city.

“From creating jobs to supporting small businesses, we are committed to ensuring that these Games benefit all Angelenos — not just for the summer of 2028, but for decades to come,” Bass added.

Nearly two months after the Olympic flag handover from Paris to Los Angeles, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach visited Los Angeles.

Bach toured several of the city’s newest world-class sporting venues, including the SoFi Stadium and the recently opened Intuit Dome, both located in Inglewood. At the stadiums, he was joined by two other Los Angeles County Black mayors, whose cities will be key to hosting LA28 events: Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts and Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson.

SoFi Stadium, known as the home of NFL teams the LA Rams and LA Chargers, will host swimming competitions during the LA28 Games, with a temporary pool set to make it the largest swimming venue in Olympic history, boasting 38,000 seats. Intuit Dome, Inglewood’s newest state-of-the-art venue and home to the LA Clippers, will host the Olympic basketball tournament in the 18,000-seat arena.

In an interview with California Black Media ( CBM), Butts highlighted Inglewood’s central role in the upcoming Games, stating, “Inglewood will host the Opening and Closing ceremonies, basketball, and swimming competitions of the 2028 Olympic Games. This will be our second hosting of Olympic Basketball, the first in 1984.”

Marqueece Harris-Dawson, President of the Los Angeles City Council, also attended the tour.

Harris-Dawson is one of the leading backers of PlayLA, a parks development program that promises to provide sports programming to “young Angelenos of all abilities.” The initiative is funded by a $160 million investment from the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the International Olympic Committee.

Black Californians serving on the LA28 Board include Businesswoman Mellody Hobson; decorated Paralympian Lex Gillette; former Netflix Executive Dana Smith; President of the LA County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO Yvonne Wheeler; and television host, retired sprinter and four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson.

Rosalyn Brant Clark, a 1976 Olympic silver medalist and mother of three-time Paralympian Breanna Clark, said while the “Games for All” theme is promising, she is looking for more concrete action that impacts the lives of ordinary people, including Black Californians.

“They are going to need to show me more on that one before it gets my stamp of approval,” she added, challenging organizers to ensure genuine inclusivity.

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Bay Area

Ohemaa Nyanin Named GM of Valkyries WNBA Team

The Bay Area is filled with excitement, and much of the conversation is about the Bay Area’s newest WNBA team — the VALKYRIES! The Golden State Warriors were awarded the 13th team in the WNBA last October, and just four months ago, the team’s General Manager was announced — Ohemaa Nyanin.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 22, 2024

Oakland Post

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By Y’Anad Burrell

Nyanin’s parents are from Ghana, and she was born in Maryland. Nyanin’s experience in this industry precedes her both as a former college player and on the business side. Nyanin is an American University alumna who played on the Eagles’ women’s basketball team. In 2019, Nyanain joined the WNBA team, The New York Liberty, initially serving as the director of basketball operations before she became assistant general manager.

“No excuses,” Nyanin said. “We are here, first and foremost, as humans, and secondly to win basketball games. So how do we do that, and how do we do that in the most inclusive way?”

From viewing interviews that Nyanin has done since her arrival in the Bay Area, a constant theme in her conversations is talking about taking a “people first” approach. Nyanin talks about how she will be focused on the players, staff, and fans as she navigates and executes her role as general manager. Health, both mentally and physically, is important to Nyanin, as I’ve seen in her many interviews.

Just days ago, The Golden State Warriors announced the head coach for the Valkyries — Natalie Nakase.

Nakase has been the assistant coach for the Las Vegas Aces for the past three seasons, where she was a part of the Aces’ back-to-back championship run in 2022 and 2023. Before joining the Aces’ coaching staff, Nakase spent ten seasons with her hometown team, the Los Angeles Clippers, and their G League.

The Valkyries will practice at downtown Oakland’s Golden State Warrior space and play games at Chase Center in San Francisco. This is an excellent opportunity to experience both sides of the water.

The Valkyries WNBA season opens May 2025 at Chase Center in San Francisco, and the Valkyries website shows over 18,000 season-ticket deposits. For clarity, if someone is ‘interested’ in purchasing season tickets, a $25 deposit is required. The Chase Center’s capacity is a little over 18,000, so you can imagine how electrifying the stadium will be during all home games.

Ohemaa, welcome to the Bay and The Town!