N.C. Sports Association urges HB2 repeal to avoid losing NCAA bids from 2018-22
The North Carolina Sports Association, which represents 27 counties across North Carolina that recruit and promote major sporting events, sent a letter to the state's House of Representatives and General Assembly on Monday urging an immediate repeal of the controversial House Bill 2. The law, known as the bathroom bill, led to the removal of all the NCAA's championship events in 2017, costing the state millions in combination with the NBA's decision to remove this month's All-Star game out of Charlotte.
The law prevents cities and counties from passing protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. And public schools must require bathrooms or locker rooms be designated for use only by people based on their biological sex.
The letter, written by Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance executive director Scott Dupree, noted the "window to act is closing rapidly" and said that North Carolina is "on the brink of losing all NCAA Championship events for six consecutive years."
That time frame, which would include 2017-18 and then stretches from 2018-2022, most notably includes NCAA tournament events that could potentially be held in Greensboro, Raleigh and Charlotte. The letter cites 133 bids submitted to the NCAA by North Carolina cities, colleges and universities and estimated $250 million in economic impact on the state.
The state legislature held a special session in December to repeal HB2, but that never came to fruition. House Democratic Leader Darren Jackson tweeted in response to the letter: "The votes for a clean repeal existed in both chambers in Dec. & #ncga leaders could still repeal this law today."
The NCAA's championship bid review and evaluation process is underway and the letter stated that the NCAA said North Carolina will be removed from consideration because of HB2 based on the organization's inclusion initiative. The NCAA said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports on Monday that the association has not yet determined future championship sites, but expects to announce site selections for the 2018-19 through 2021-22 championship seasons in April.
did not immediately comment on the matter when contacted by USA TODAY Sports on Monday morning.
"This letter is not intended to be political in any way, but rather objective and fact-based," Dupree wrote, "so that all the interested parties will have a clear understanding of what's at stake and the urgent nature of these potential losses. In a matter of days, our state's sports tourism industry will suffer crushing, long-term losses and will essentially close its doors for NCAA business."
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski told USA TODAY Sports the bill was "embarrassing" this summer, while N.C. State coach Mark Gottfried tabbed it "frustrating."
On Sunday, North Carolina coach Roy Williams sounded off on HB2 after the Tar Heels played against Notre Dame in the Greensboro Coliseum, saying "I never will like it."
“I’m glad that some people in Greensboro got to see us play," Williams told reporters. "I’m glad we were able to take a game here because of that stupid rule that we have in our state that took a lot of good opportunities for people in our state, a lot of great athletes who like to do things in our state. ...I shouldn’t say rule, it’s a law. Law is more important than a rule, I guess. It's just that it’s ridiculous and what it’s doing to our state and the reputation of our state.
"Right now, everything’s cool in Chapel Hill again — restaurants are open, people can go to the bathroom, all kinds of stuff. They can go to any bathroom they want to in Chapel Hill, I believe so."
Texas filed legislation similar to HB2 called Senate Bill 6. The bill (SB6) contains language that would appear to make it possible for a private organization to determine the bathroom-usage rules at public facilities they rent — the situation that occurs when, for instance, the NCAA signs an agreement to hold the Final Four at a facility such as the Alamodome, which is owned and operated by the City of San Antonio.