Rumors about Los Angeles hosting the 2018 NBA All-Star game have abounded for weeks.
With NBA and Los Angeles officials set to announce news today, that could mean only one thing.
NBA release:The NBA announced today that Los Angeles has been selected to host NBA All-Star 2018. The 67th annual game will take place at Staples Center, home of the L.A. Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers, on Sunday, Feb. 18. This will mark the record sixth NBA All-Star in Los Angeles, which hosted in 2011, 2004, 1983, 1972 and 1963, and the third All-Star at Staples Center (2011 and 2004).
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made the announcement today during a press conference at Staples Center, where he was joined by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, AEG President and CEO Dan Beckerman and Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission President Kathy Schloessman.
“Los Angeles is known for first-class hospitality and entertainment, making it the perfect host for NBA All-Star,” said Silver. “The city is home to some of the most passionate basketball fans in addition to extraordinary facilities, including Staples Center and L.A. Live. We thank Mayor Garcetti, Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer, Lakers President and Co-Owner Jeanie Buss and AEG President and CEO Dan Beckerman for their support in bringing All-Star back to L.A.”
“We are proud that the NBA has selected Staples Center, L.A. Live and the L.A. Convention Center to host NBA All-Star for the third time in just 14 years,” said Beckerman. “All-Star in Los Angeles will bring worldwide attention, thousands of fans and over $100 million of economic activity to our City. We believe that L.A. Live, with its variety of venues, hotels and other hospitality options, creates a true headquarters district that will be the ideal showcase for NBA All-Star 2018. Finally, on behalf of AEG, we thank our partners at the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission for your commitment to bring back this incredible event and thank Commissioner Silver and the NBA for your faith in our great City.”
“Since becoming part of L.A. through my ownership of the Clippers, I’ve witnessed firsthand the passion this city has for basketball and celebrating world-class talent, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for both players and fans during NBA All-Star 2018,” said Ballmer. “I’m also thrilled that Mayor Garcetti and the city of Los Angeles will be able to show off their vision and the incredible evolution of downtown L.A.”
“All-Star is a premiere event, so it’s fitting that it’ll be hosted by Los Angeles, the premiere sports city in America, and by Staples Center, one of the premiere arenas in the world,” said Los Angeles Lakers President and Co-Owner Jeanie Buss. “2004 and 2011 proved what a great combination this is, and 2018 will prove it again.”
NBA All-Star on-court events will tip off on Friday, Feb. 16, at Staples Center with the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge, where the league’s top rookies and second-year players take the court. On Feb. 17, State Farm All-Star SaturdayNight will feature current NBA players showcasing their skills in exciting basketball competitions that include the Taco Bell Skills Challenge, where participants compete head-to-head in a series of passing, shooting and agility drills; the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest; and Verizon Slam Dunk. The weekend concludes on Sunday with the NBA All-Star Game.
I can think of places I’d rather vacation in the winter than Los Angeles. There just aren’t many.
There’s a reason the NBA keeps putting All-Star games in L.A.