An NBA basketball player's post-game comment has become an unofficial tourism slogan for the state of Minnesota.
After the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets on Sunday to advance to the semifinal round of the NBA playoffs, studio analyst Charles Barkley interviewed Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards. Barkley said, "I have not been to Minnesota in probably 20 years."
Edwards replied, "Bring ya ass!"
Then Barkley asked Edwards for restaurant recommendations.
Explore Minnesota, the state's tourism-promotion agency, didn't miss the opportunity. The lead photo on its website is a photo of menu items at Petite Leon in Minneapolis, with "Bring Ya A**" overlaying the photo. The caption says "James Beard-nominated joy awaits Sir Charles at Petite Leon." (Barkley's nickname is Sir Charles.)
Explore Minnesota also has made reference to Edwards' comment on its social media accounts.