NBA cancels plans for 2017 All-Star Game in North Carolina over transgender law

The NBA has canceled plans to hold its 2017 All-Star Game in Charlotte, North Carolina, over state law decried as discriminatory against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, according to a report on Thursday.

The NBA is focused on moving the midseason showcase to New Orleans but other cities are still trying to lure the game, according to a report on Yahoo.

The report, citing league sources, said the NBA will make a formal announcement on Thursday.

NBA officials did not immediately respond to Reuters when asked to comment.

A law passed in March made North Carolina the first U.S. state to require transgender people to use restrooms in public buildings and schools that match the sex on their birth certificate rather than their gender identity.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has previously said the law is “inconsistent with the core values” of the NBA and that the All-Star Weekend could be relocated as a result.

Moving the event out of the state would follow similar moves by top entertainers that have canceled shows in North Carolina, including Bruce Springsteen, Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, Boston, Pearl Jam, Ringo Starr and the group Cirque du Soleil.