Former NBA Great and TNT Analyst Says He May Have to Boycott

Charles Barkley says the NBA must move the All-Star Game out of North Carolina next year because of the anti-LGBT law HB2. The former NBA great who is now a respected analyst for TNT was careful to not issue a personal ultimatum, but said, “we need to move the All-Star Game.”

Barkley made his remarksÂ on the “Dan Patrick Show,” after being asked,Â â€œWill you consider boycotting the All-Star Game?â€

â€œYes,â€ Barkley responded. â€œI told my boss, I donâ€™t want to act like Iâ€™m jumping on a sword, but Iâ€™ve talked to Adam Silver, we need to move the All-Star Game,â€ he said, speaking of the NBA Commissioner.

â€œI hope they donâ€™t put me in a situation where I have to boycott the All-Star Game,â€ he said, respectfully, but added, again, â€œwe need to move the All-Star Game.â€

HB2 bans transgender people from using restrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity. It also bans local governments from passing laws protecting LGBT people or anyone not already protected at the state level, and nullifies existing minority protections, including those for veterans.Â

Additionally, HB2 bans local governments in North Carolina from passing laws on employment discrimination, and ban them from regulating the minimum wage.

Here’s Barkley:

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Hat tip: TeeJay

Image by R24KBerg PhotosÂ via Flickr and a CC license