2021 MLB All-Star Game will be relocated from Atlanta (UPDATED)

In recent weeks, due to recent events in Georgia, speculation had grown that Major League Baseball could decide to move the 2021 MLB All-Star game as a response.

Today, that speculation became a reality.

Evan Drellich, senior writer for the Athletic, and several others have confirmed the news over the past hour. Included in the tweet from Drellich is a direct quote from MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, explaining the reasoning behind the decision. Manfred also highlights that further information on the future location for the 2021 All-Star game will be revealed in short-time.

Here is the full statement from Commissioner Manfred:

“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. 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.

“Major League Baseball fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box. In 2020, MLB became the first professional sports league to join the non-partisan Civic Alliance to help build a future in which everyone participates in shaping the United States. We proudly used our platform to encourage baseball fans and communities throughout our country to perform their civic duty and actively participate in the voting process. Fair access to voting continues to have our game’s unwavering support.

“We will continue with our plans to celebrate the memory of Hank Aaron during this season’s All-Star festivities. In addition, MLB’s planned investments to support local communities in Atlanta as part of our All-Star Legacy Projects will move forward. We are finalizing a new host city and details about these events will be announced shortly.”

Despite the plan to relocate the onfield activities elsewhere, it appears that MLB’s plans to honor Hank Aaron and other activities around Atlanta that were related to the All-Star game will carry on as planned. This includes many of the community investments around the city of Atlanta in association with MLB’s All-Star Legacy Projects.

UPDATE - The Braves issued the following statement in response.

The Atlanta 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. Our city has always been known as a uniter in divided times and we will miss the opportunity to address issues that are important to our community.

Unfortunately, businesses, employees, and fans in Georgia are the victims of this decision.

We will continue to support the community legacy projects which have been planned and are in process.