Could NBA hold All-Star Game in March?

While professional sports leagues around the world have conducted seasons amid the COVID-19 pandemic, exhibitions such as all-star games have become avoidable luxuries not worth the risk of potentially spreading the coronavirus among athletes, coaches and staff members. 

However, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Monday that the NBA and National Basketball Players Association are in talks about hosting a 2021 All-Star Game in Atlanta on March 7. Back in November, the league canceled All-Star weekend originally scheduled for Feb. 12-14 in Indianapolis, which will host the 2024 All-Star Game instead. 

Wojnarowski explained that Atlanta is an ideal city for an All-Star event during the health crisis because it's also the home of Turner Sports, one of the NBA's media partners and a company that wouldn't have to fly necessary television personnel into town to broadcast the game. NBPA president Chris Paul is reportedly a fan of players participating in an All-Star Game to raise funds for COVID-19 relief and to benefit historically Black colleges and universities. 

Despite the NBA running a pandemic-shortened campaign, the league scheduled a midseason break for March 5-10.