OAKLAND –- The NBA’s decision Thursday to move its 2017 All-Star Weekend out of Charlotte as a result of a North Carolina law widely perceived as discriminatory was hailed around the league as another necessary blow to bigotry and intolerance.
The Warriors, affected by such matters on a level more personally than most, practically stood and cheered.
As the first openly gay executive for a major American sports team, Warriors chief operating officer Rick Welts has particular appreciation for the league’s decision.
“I applaud the NBA for today’s announcement,” Welts said in a statement. “This has been a thoughtful and deliberate process that reflects a tremendous effort by the Charlotte Hornets and the NBA to respect all points of view in reaching a decision consistent with the core values of out league.