Could the controversial ‘religious freedom’ act lead to the NCAA and other organizations to move major sporting events to more tolerant pastures?
Last Thursday, Indiana governor Mike Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act into law. The ‘religious freedom’ restored by the bill refers to is the freedom of businesses and associations to refuse to offer services to individuals for religious reasons. Many have alleged that the law essentially legalizes discrimination against certain groups, specifically those in the LGBT community.
The timing of the bill’s passing couldn’t have been worse for the NCAA as the Final Four set to begin at Indianapolis’s Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday. This means that the nationally televised games, the climax of one of America’s biggest sporting events, could end up being overshadowed by the latest battle in an ongoing civil rights debate.
Attending the Final Four this year isn’t just about the Final Four, it’s setting the stage for major sports events to vacate the state. If the NCAA, NFL, Big Ten and others don’t pull their events out of Indiana, other states will be quick to follow with pro-discrimination laws of their own.
We don’t want to, because of political activity, disrupt an event that’s been in the making for so long, (and now) you’ve changed the experience for the student-athletes. But if we have to move events, we’ll do it.
Related: USC athletic director to skip playoff meetings due to 'religious freedom' law
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from Sport | The Guardian http://ift.tt/1xCun3j
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