Jordan's Hornets to host All-Star Game in 2017

[June 24, 2015]  RALEIGH, North Carolina (Reuters) - Michael Jordan's Charlotte Hornets have been selected to host the National Basketball Association's 2017 All-Star Game, the league said on Tuesday.

Top players representing the NBA's Eastern and Western Conferences will tip off at Time Warner Cable Arena on Feb. 19, capping a weekend that includes the popular slam dunk contest and other events.

The North Carolina-based Hornets, owned by six-times NBA champion and Basketball Hall of Famer Jordan, previously hosted the All-Star Game in 1991.

Landing an All-Star weekend, a showcase of skills competitions and exhibitions culminating in a game that pits the league's marquee players against each other, offers big business benefits to the host city.

The 2015 All-Star Game was hosted by New York City and generated an estimated $195 million in economic activity.

Toronto will host the 2016 All-Star Game, marking the first time the event will be held outside the United States.

(Reporting by Frank Pingue, editing by Tony Jimenez)

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