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Georgia Set To Miss Out On USD$100 Million Due To Movement Of MLB All-Star Game

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Following controversial new voting laws put in place in Atlanta, Georgia, Major League Baseball (MLB) commissioner, Robert Manfred, has taken action by moving the 2021 All-Star Game from the state, a decision which will reportedly have large financial repercussions.

According to Cobb travel and tourism president and CEO, Holly Quinlan, the decision from the MLB to move the fixture means Georgia will miss out on approximately USD$100 million (AUD$131 million) in economic boosts.

The recently democratically-acquired state’s law has been slammed as an act of suppression to black and minority voters through strategies to make it harder for these groups to vote.

Manfred said the sport had to stand firm against the passing of discriminatory voting laws.

“MLB fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box,” Manfred said in an official statement.

“Fair access to voting continues to have our game’s unwavering support.

“[The decision] is the best way to demonstrate our value as a sport,” he said.

There have been calls for the game to remain in Atlanta, with founder of fair fight action and former Georgia house minority leader, Stacey Abrams, writing in a column for USA Today: “Instead of a boycott, I strongly urge other events and productions to do business in Georgia and speak out against our law and similar proposals in other states.”

“Bring your business to Georgia and, if you’re already here, stay and fight,” she said.

The All-Star fixture will now take place at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado.

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