The National Basketball Association's All-Star Weekend was a victory for New York City off the court, the league's commissioner said.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said during a Feb. 14 press conference for the league's mid-season celebration in New York that the festivities surrounding the All-Star game generated around $200 million in economic activity for the city. The weekend was highlighted by the Sunday night's All-Star game at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, a skills competition at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and the Rising Stars Challenge.
Silver said during his press conference that 166,000 fans attended the NBA's various events for the All-Star game including interactive festivals held in both Manhattan and Brooklyn. The NBA also issued 1,800 media credentials including a record 534 from international counties. The All-Star weekend also attracted 41 basketball hall of famers to go along with 70 active NBA players, according to Silver.
The last NBA All-Star game in New York occurred in 1998. The league also brought the event to the Big Apple in 1968, 1955 and 1954.
