Yahoo Sports NBA sends out roughly 200 cease-and-desist orders to unsanctioned All-Star parties in Atlanta
Against the wishes of some its biggest stars, the NBA is holding its All-Star Game in Atlanta this weekend.
Traditionally, the All-Star Game comes with a wave of parties throughout the host city, enjoyed by fans, players and everyone else involved. The NBA obviously doesn't want that to happen this year, because the U.S. is still mired in a pandemic and large gatherings remain dangerous.
The mayor of Atlanta has already issued a statement pleading fans and event organizers to not come to her city, noting there will be no NBA-sanctioned events within the city limits. Apparently, some still tried, and that led to the NBA's lawyers getting involved.
Marc Stein of The New York Times reported Saturday that the league has already issued a whopping 200 cease-and-desist orders to promoters in Atlanta that have been using the All-Star logo and event.
The NBA has sent out roughly 200 letters with cease-and-desist orders to various party promoters in the Atlanta area that have used the league’s All-Star logo and event name in connection with unaffiliated events scheduled this weekend, league spokesman tells @NYTSports
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 6, 2021
It wasn't hard to see this situation coming, and it's likely something the NBA was willing to deal with if it meant being able to recoup even a fraction of the revenue typically created by the All-Star Game and its surrounding events.
The All-Star Game remains scheduled for Sunday, with the dunk contest, 3-point contest and skills challenge all to be held as either pregame or halftime events. Leading All-Star vote getters LeBron James and Kevin Durant are captains for this year's game, though Durant won't be playing due to injury.
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