Anthony Edwards' 'Bring Ya Ass' Remark Inspires New Minnesota Tourism Campaign

The Timberwolves star invited Charles Barkley to the state, after the "Inside the NBA" co-host claimed he hadn't been in "20 years"

The state of Minnesota’s new unofficial slogan is a slam dunk!

Tourism officials are capitalizing on Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards’ post-game comments to Charles Barkley after the Inside the NBA co-host admitted he hasn't been to the Land of 10,000 Lakes "in probably 20 years."

Then, as Edwards, 22, put it, in his trademark, hilarious way, “Bring ya ass!”

Now, Explore Minnesota — the state's tourism department — is enticing potential tourists to do the same with the NSFW motto.

"Welcome to a state of possibility. Whether you’re planning a visit or pondering a move, Minnesota is ready to welcome you. In other words.... Bring ya a--," reads the tourism board's website, while posts to social media feature an image of the slogan with the caption, "Minnesota is ready for you, basketball fans! 🏀 Let's go, @timberwolves!"

Related: Jordyn Woods Celebrates Boyfriend Karl-Anthony Towns After Timberwolves Win: 'I'm in Awe of Him'

Being able to capitalize on the viral comment is partly thanks to an assist by comedian and Minneapolis native Jon Savitt, who purchased the domain, bringyaass.com, and then redirected the site to Explore Minnesota.

“My legacy,” Savitt jokingly wrote on X about his involvement in the new travel initiative.

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Even Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz got into the game, replying to an X user’s query with the side-eyes emoji after he was asked if he could change the state’s tourism slogan.

While neither Explore Minnesota nor the T’Wolves responded to PEOPLE’s request for a comment about the campaign, Edwards — and teammate Karl-Anthony Towns — had plenty to joke around about after their team defeated the Denver Nuggets in an epic Game 7 on Sunday, May 19.

Related: Who Is Anthony Edwards' Girlfriend, Shannon? All About Her Relationship With the NBA Star

At the post-game presser, the duo laughed about the Timberwolves' previously unsuccessful seasons and had reporters rolling in the aisles.

A reporter suggested to the stars that "NBA history" says a team has to "lose big" before finding success as a unit. The Minnesota stars reminded him that they lost in the playoffs last season, and the season before, with Towns joking, "How much more we gotta lose?"

Edwards quipped, "We’ve been losing the last 20 years!"

The Timberwolves take on the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, May 22 in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

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