NCAA threatens to keep its events out of North Carolina unless HB2 is repealed

It’s been about six months since the NCAA announced that it would be moving seven championship events planned to be played in the state of North Carolina, thanks to House Bill 2, a discriminatory state law. The ACC soon followed suit, and moved events from the conference that were supposed to be played in the state, including the football conference’s championship.

The NCAA remains committed to standing its ground, and on Thursday, stated that it would be willing to have NCAA events scheduled elsewhere through the 2022 season. Here’s the NCAA’s full statement, courtesy of USA Today.

“Last year, the NCAA Board of Governors relocated NCAA championships scheduled in North Carolina because of the cumulative impact HB2 had on local communities’ ability to assure a safe, healthy, discrimination free atmosphere for all those watching and participating in our events.

Absent any change in the law, our position remains the same regarding hosting current or future events in the state. As the state knows, next week our various sports committees will begin making championships site selections for 2018-2022 based upon bids received from across the country. Once the sites are selected by the committee, those decisions are final and an announcement of all sites will be made on April 18.”

The Charlotte Observer reported that state lawmakers are considering altering some parts of the law.

The statement came on HB2’s first anniversary. It also came as lawmakers and the governor remain at an impasse over repeal, though legislative leaders said Thursday they’re talking about changes in the law.

The NCAA and ACC aren’t the only entities that moved events from the state. Last August, the NBA announced that it would be moving the 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte, and the game ended up being played in New Orleans.

The Charlotte Observer asked House Speaker Tim Moore about a specific timeframe for the changes to the law to be made.

“We’re taking whatever time is necessary,” he said. “We’re not going to move forward until a majority of the caucus is prepared to do something.”

Moore said he’s been talking with business leaders and others, and that “if I didn’t have pretty good assurances” the potential HB2 changes would end boycotts, “I wouldn’t be wasting my time.”

House Bill 2, that was passed by North Carolina last March, makes it legal for workplaces and public accommodations to discriminate against transgender and LGBTQ people. It also requires transgender people to use bathrooms and locker rooms based on the gender listed on their birth certificates, even if it doesn’t represent their gender identity.

Given the short timeline — less than a month, to be exact, that the NCAA has before it makes a decision about where to place championships, lawmakers must act quickly with any changes if the state wants to host any championship events before 2022.