Sports pressure really might help overturn controversial Indiana law

The effort to overturn Indiana’s new “religious freedom” law, interpreted by many as a symbolic and judicial advocation of discrimination against the LGBT community, has been far-reaching. Among the biggest voices have been the sporting community’s, particularly the NCAA’s and the Big Ten’s.

We, the NCAA have to sit down and say ‘all right, if this environment remains the way it is, what does that mean for us going forward?‘ We hold lots and lots of events here, we’re going to have our national convention here, our offices are here. We have to say, ‘what do we do if this law goes into effect in July, and what’s our relationship with the state of Indiana going to be?’

While the Big Ten has not been as explicit, it has stated its concern and reportedly has some officials worried that it will pull its football championship game and basketball tournament out of the state.

This is not faux outrage or your typical “we express our concern” statement. This is a legitimate threat to Indiana officials, and it raises the question: could pressure from the sporting community ultimately be what reverses this law?

“I’d be worried if any relevant organization indicated that they had concerns that they were no longer welcome, or that their employees or visitors or members were no longer welcome in our community,” said Greg Shaheen, a former NCAA senior vice president and current president of OSM Advisors, based in the Indianapolis area. “And so I think it has to be taken seriously.”

This is especially true for Indianapolis, considered one of the best host cities in the country for sporting events. With a bustling, sports-centric downtown and a state-of-the-art facility in Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis has hosted the Big Ten’s two revenue sports championship games, plus a Super Bowl and Final Fours.

Shaheen, who has spent a good part of his life bringing events to the city, said building up a sports culture “has been a central priority for Indianapolis for almost a half century.” According to the Indianapolis Business Journal, the projected economic impact of the Final Four, $71 million, could be “a bit low.” The Big Ten football championship game and basketball tournament reportedly bring in about $16 million and $18 million, respectively.

Indiana Republicans have been a key ally for the NCAA in its fight to get congressional backing to save amateurism, and that could help pressure the association into backing off. However, Indianapolis’ mayor is a Republican, and nine of his 13 Republican city council members joined him in opposing the law.

While the NCAA might have been slow to change on player pay, it does have a history of maintaining its social convictions, most notably in its effort to rid members of references to the Confederate flag and demeaning images of Native Americans.

The NCAA and the Big Ten might not pull their events out of Indianapolis, and there’s a chance this law will be reversed before they decide to act. But Indiana is playing with fire around organizations that have the power to significantly hurt its business owners, the same business owners it claims to protect in its law.

“As a community that has an employment focus, an economy focus [on sports] and perception as important currency, you have to read such comments and take them with great seriousness,” Shaheen said.