Major League Baseball is being sued for moving the All-Star game from Atlanta to Denver for the 2021 season.
The move was prompted in response to Georgia’s voting laws.
Job Creators Network (JCN) filed the suit in the Southern District of New York, home of Major League Baseball, demanding the game be moved back to Atlanta on July 13.
The league, Players Association, Commissioner Rob Manfred, and MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark have been named in the suit.
JCN claims the city will lose $100 million dollars if the game is not held in Atlanta. This includes that 8,000 hotel rooms were canceled and over 41,000 fans were expected to flood the city for the game’s events.
On April 2nd, MLB announced the move in response to the new voting law signed in the state of Georgia by Governor Brian Kemp. Republicans said this would expand voting rights for all citizens, while Democrats said it would become more restrictive.
“Over the last week, we have engaged in thoughtful conversations with Clubs, former and current players, the Players Association, and The Players Alliance, among others, to listen to their views,” said Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.
“I have decided that the best way to demonstrate our values as a sport is by relocating this year’s All-Star Game and MLB Draft.”
The new law requires voters to have photo ID, shortens early voting before run offs, and bans non-election workers from handing out food and any sort of beverage for those in lines.
President Biden condemned the law and praised MLB for moving the game.
‘Knee-jerk reaction’
But Texas-based Job Creators Network was not a fan of the move. “MLB robbed the small businesses of Atlanta — many of them minority-owned — of $100 million, we want the game back where it belongs,” said Alfredo Ortiz, CEO of the Job Creators Network in a statement.
“This was a knee-jerk, hypocritical and illegal reaction to misinformation about Georgia’s new voting law which includes Voter ID. Major League Baseball itself requests ID at will-call ticket windows at Yankee Stadium in New York, Busch Stadium in St. Louis and at ballparks all across the country.”
Past All-Star Games have generated anywhere from $100 million to $190 million dollars for the hosting city’s economy.
The two-day event not only includes the game but also has the popular home run derby and celebrity softball game that also draws a sell-out crowd and high television ratings.
