MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred announced Friday that the 2021 All-Star Game will be moved out of Atlanta due to Georgia's law curbing voting access, which will disproportionately affect people of color.
What they're saying: "Major League Baseball fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box," Manfred said in a statement.
- Manfred said the decision was made after "thoughtful conversations with Clubs, former and current players, the Players Association, and The Players Alliance, among others, to listen to their views."
- He added that a new host city and details about the All-Star Game will be announced "shortly."
Atlanta's MLB team issued a statement in response to the league's move on Friday, saying: The "Braves are deeply disappointed by the decision of Major League Baseball to move its' 2021 All Star Game."
- "This was neither our decision, nor our recommendation and we are saddened that fans will not be able to see this event in our city."
- "The Braves organization will continue to stress the importance of equal voting opportunities and we had hoped our city could use this event as a platform to enhance the discussion."
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) tweeted later Friday, "Today, @MLB caved to fear, political opportunism, and liberal lies."
The big picture: President Biden told ESPN in an interview broadcast Wednesday he would back MLB moving its 2021 All-Star Game out of Atlanta due to Georgia's voting law — which he called "Jim Crow on steroids."...
- The All-Star Game was scheduled for