CHARLOTTE, N. Kyle Garlick Jersey .C. -- Hornets owner Michael Jordan, a 14-time NBA All-Star, is pushing to bring the big game back to Charlotte. The Hornets, in conjunction with the Charlotte Sports Foundation, announced plans Tuesday to submit a bid to host the NBA All-Star Weekend in 2017 or 2018. A contingent of Hornets employees and city officials flew to New York Tuesday to deliver the bid to NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum and other league executives following a morning press conference in Charlotte. "This is a great time to be a Charlotte Hornets fan and a fan of NBA basketball here in the Carolinas," Hornets COO Fred Whitfield said Tuesday. "... This is a chance for us to host the greatest basketball players in the world on not a national, but a global stage." Whitfield estimates eight to 10 other cities will apply to host the game. Charlotte hosted the NBA All-Star Game in 1991 at the suburban Charlotte Coliseum, which has since been demolished. The Hornets now play in a downtown arena. Whitfield estimated Tuesday the arena, which opened in 2005, would need between $42 million and $43 million in upgrades. "The City Council at some point will receive the presentation on the results of the discussions that we have had," Whitfield said. "It has yet to be determined and it will be soon. Again, we want to make sure that our arena is very competitive with and against the rest of the region with high quality and high fan experience." Whitfield said those improvements to the arena will most likely be funded with hospitality tax revenues. The team has openly discussed in the past its desire to have the game return to Charlotte for quite some time. In April of 2013, NBA commissioner Adam Silver addressed the possibility of Charlotte hosting a future All-Star game, saying "I cant speak as to the year, but Im very excited about the prospect of the All-Star game returning to Charlotte. Its a terrific arena and one of our best basketball markets in terms of passion." Silver said this past March that no dramatic changes were needed to the arena. He said the scoreboard, suites and lighting were some of the things that needed to be upgraded to host the All-Star Weekend, which regularly features the games biggest stars and a host of celebrities. He estimates landing the All-Star game will have $100 million economic impact on Charlotte area based off the numbers from last years game in New Orleans. Jordans Charlotte Bobcats went 43-39 last season and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2010, but were swept in the first round by the Miami Heat. Charlotte changed its name to the Hornets earlier this year. Justin Turner Dodgers Jersey .C. -- The Charlotte Bobcats said head coach Steve Clifford underwent a successful procedure Friday to have two stents placed in his heart. Steve Howe Jersey . Right-hander Ricky Nolasco and the Twins agreed to terms on a free-agent contract Wednesday, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. https://www.cheapdodgersonline.com/ .com) - Mike Conley scored 20 points with five assists to help the Memphis Grizzlies remain unbeaten with a 91-89 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.London, England (SportsNetwork.com) - Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo returned to practice on Thursday for the first time since suffering a back injury 10 days ago. As he usually does, Romo missed Wednesdays session as the Cowboys began preparations for this Sundays game against Jacksonville in London. He has skipped most Wednesday practices this season as part of his regular schedule to ease the workload on his surgically repaired back. Romo, who underwent surgery for a herniated disc in his back late last year, again injured his back in the third quarter of an overtime loss to Washington on Oct. 27, although he did return for the final series of regulation and Dallas lone possession of overtime. The Cowboys initially said Romo had a contusion, but further tests eventually revealed two transverse process fractures. The transverse process is a small bony projection off the right and left side of each vertebrae. Like any injury, we have to get out test it out and see what you can do, push it a little bit, said Romo, who indicated he still has soreness and will continue treatment each day. At the same time, you have to be smart. Romo missed last Sundays game against Arizona and Brandon Weeden struggled in a 28-17 loss to the Cardinals. Cheap Dodgers Jerseys. After Romo took part in the Cowboys meetings and walk-through at the hotel on Wednesday, Weeden took the first-team reps in practice. Weeden would again be the starter on Sunday if Romo is unable to play, but Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones expects his three-time Pro Bowl quarterback to be on the field. Im anticipating him playing, theres no reason to think that he wont, said Jones on Thursday. My expectations are for him to play. Romo was in pads while speaking with the media on Thursday and didnt appear comfortable, looking stiff at the podium. He didnt give any indication as to whether he would play on Sunday, saying only he would be taking a day-by-day approach. Its improving each day, he added. I think if we do something positive each day, theres a good chance. If youre always waiting until you feel great to play, youll only play a couple of games a year. You compete, you go play. Theres guys who are banged up every week and go play. No one cares (if youre hurt) when you step out on the field on Sunday, you just go out and play. If Romo is unable to play Sunday, hell have extra time to rest with the Cowboys on their bye next week. ' ' '