MLBPA chief open to talk with MLB about moving All-Star Game out of Georgia following new voting laws

Authored by espn.com and submitted by PrincessBananas85
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Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Tony Clark said Friday that he "would look forward" to discussing moving the All-Star Game from Atlanta in the wake of Georgia's decision to overhaul how its state elections are run.

"Players are very much aware," Clark told The Boston Globe in an interview. "As it relates to the All-Star Game, we have not had a conversation with the league on that issue. If there is an opportunity to, we would look forward to having that conversation."

On Thursday, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law a sweeping Republican-sponsored bill that includes new restrictions on voting by mail and greater legislative control over how elections are run.

Democrats and voting rights groups say the law will disproportionately disenfranchise voters of color. It is one of a wave of GOP-backed election bills introduced in states around the country.

The MLB All-Star Game is set to be played July 13 at Atlanta's Truist Park. It's the first time the game has been held in the city since the 2000 event was held at Turner Field.

Dave Roberts, who is in line to manage the NL team, told reporters Friday that he would consider declining the honor if MLB opts not to move the game out of Atlanta.

"I will certainly consider it," the manager of the World Series champion Dodgers said. "I don't know enough about it right now. But when you're restricting -- trying to restrict -- American votes, American citizens, that's alarming to me to hear it. As we get to that point and we know more, I will make a better decision. But I do think that if it gets to that point, it will certainly be a decision I have to make personally."

There is some precedent for pro leagues moving all-star games. In 2017, the NBA moved its game out of Charlotte, North Carolina, after a bill that limited anti-discrimination protections was enacted.

angrybirdseller on March 27th, 2021 at 01:30 UTC »

Arizona lost superbowl in 93 based on rejecting Martin Luether King day as state holiday. Boycotts can have adverse effects.

Acceptable-Potato266 on March 26th, 2021 at 23:36 UTC »

What are the new laws that people are getting mad about. I'm not in Georgia and don't know much of the subject.

AmanitaCubensis on March 26th, 2021 at 21:36 UTC »

Hollywood needs to pony up next.