TD Garden not owned by the Celtics is a major problem for the franchise hosting the All-Star GameGETTY PICTURES
Boston hasn’t hosted the NBA All-Star Game since 1964, but the Celtics’ ownership group, led by Wyc Grousbeck and Steven Pagliuca, “has decided to take steps to submit a bid to host the game,” according to reports. sources cited by Gary Washburn of the BOSTON GLOBE. It’s “beyond absurd” that Boston hasn’t hosted this game in 58 years when cities like Cleveland, Dallas, Chicago, LA, New Orleans and Orlando have hosted it multiple times. The Celtics do not own TD Garden, which is a “major problem”. The Bruins own the arena, so the two franchises “who have a laconic relationship should work together to bring the game to Boston.” For current Celtics ownership, all of the hurdles and applications “are not worth it financially, so they’ve passed.” It would “probably need Mayor Michelle Wu’s intervention, but there’s an open slot for the game” in 25. The NBA “would love to see Boston submit a bid” because the league wants the All-Star Game to be held in “one of its reference cities”. But NBA commissioner Adam Silver “cannot force the Grousbeck-led ownership group to make that decision.” The city has spent the past few years updating the TD Garden with “additional restaurants, bars and even a theater and a small concert hall”. That should be “enough to convince the NBA that Boston is okay.” That Grousbeck, Pagliuca and Celtics president Rich Gotham “are stepping up their efforts to file an application is a major development given that for years their interest was lukewarm” (Boston Globe, 02/21).
IN BOOKS: In Salt Lake City, Andy Larsen noted that the Jazz are hosting next year’s event, but the majority of All-Star Weekend “hasn’t been planned yet.” Jazz President Jim Olson said that “about 65% of the planning process for All-Star Weekend has yet to happen.” Dozens of planners and representatives from Salt Lake City “traveled to Cleveland for the 2022 All-Star Game, to participate in the NBA Future Hosts Training Program and get a feel for what to expect. “. This includes “representatives from the city’s planning, police and fire departments.” There will be “smaller planning meetings in Salt Lake City starting in March” (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 2/20).