Only two seasons away from the opening of their brand-new, state of the art arena, the Golden State Warriors have submitted a bid to host the NBA All-Star Game in their opening season at the Chase Center, according to a dual report by ESPN's Chris Haynes and Marc J. Spears.
While the year of the bid's submission is still unknown, league sources say the earliest would be for 2021.
The Chase Center is an 18,000-seat, privately financed multi-purpose arena that will include a public plaza, which is currently under construction; located in the Mission Bay neighborhood of San Francisco.
The Warriors ownership deem this to be a world-class destination, planning to host many prominent entertainment events in the calendar each year, as most arenas do.
Thanks to a shining development, convenient public transportation options and plenty of hospitality around the neighborhood that can easily accommodate a massive event like All-Star Weekend, sources suggest the Bay Area has a great shot at landing this event for the third time.
San Francisco has only been honored with an All-Star nod in 1967 at the Cow Palace, when the franchise was still based there — one memorable due to the ejection of coach Red Auerbach, who became the only coach to ever be ejected from the game in NBA history.
Franchise icon Rick Barry earned his only All-Star MVP during that event, scoring 38 points in a 135-120 win for the Western All-Stars.
Golden State last hosted the event in Oakland in 2000, which was home of one of the most memorable Slam Dunk Contests in NBA history.
The All-Star Game is slated to be held Los Angeles this upcoming year and in Charlotte for the next.
The Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, and Cleveland Cavaliers (still with plans of modernizing their arena) placed bids for 2020 or 2021.
The Portland Trail Blazers were denied bids to both years due to lack of hotels surrounding the area.
Golden State is expected to reap a large amount in ticket sales during its inaugural season in 2019-20, but can really hit the mother lode by hosting the All-Star Game, a visit that will likely cost a good amount due to the price of hotels around the area.
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