CHICAGO (WLS) -- The NBA announced on Friday that Chicago has been selected as the host for NBA All-Star 2020. The game will take place on Sunday, February 16 and will mark the third time Chicago has hosted the event. It was last held in Chicago in 1973 and 1988.
The announcement was made by NBA Commission Adam Silver at the United Center, the home of the Chicago Bulls.
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A big reason it has taken so long to come back is that Jerry Reinsdorf didn't want anything to do with it but was convinced by his grandson, which was clearly tougher than convincing NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
"I was here in 1988 attending law school when the All-Star Game was last here and they had a slam dunk contest with Dominique Wilkins and Michael Jordan that people are still talking about today and a fantastic All-Star Game as well. It is my pleasure to be part of the NBA at a time when the All-Star Game and the surrounding festivities are coming back to town. It was a great event then and it will truly be in 2020 the epicenter of basketball around the world," said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
It will be the first time All-Star festivities are held in the city since 1988, when Michael Jordan dazzled the hometown crowd. "His Airness" took off from the foul line to beat out Dominique Wilkins in an epic slam dunk contest and was MVP in the All-Star game, scoring 40 to lead the East to a 138-133 victory over the West at Chicago Stadium.
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The economic impact last year of the All-Star Game in New Orleans was upwards of $45 million, a number likely to be greater in Chicago given its deep basketball history.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.