NAACP calls on athletes not to sign with Texas teams due to recent legislation

[Ptah]

HOUSTON -- The NAACP sent a letter to the players' associations in five professional sports Thursday asking players to reconsider signing with teams in Texas because of recent laws passed in the state.

In a two-page letter signed by NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson that was sent to the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL and WNBA players' associations, the organization pointed to recent laws on abortions, voting rights and mask mandates during the coronavirus pandemic as reasons to avoid joining teams in Texas.

"If you are considering signing in Texas, I ask you to ensure that owners are upholding their responsibility of protecting you, the athlete, and your family," the letter states. "I ask you to use your influence to help protect the constitutional rights of each individual at risk."

In May, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed an abortion law that bans procedures after six weeks of pregnancy. In September, Abbott signed a bill that significantly tightened voting laws. Earlier in the month, Abbott also issued an executive order that banned vaccine requirements in Texas.

https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/32497111/naacp-calls-athletes-not-sign-texas-teams-due-recent-legislation

[Skittles]

1. I'm giving them points

nice to see them standing up to fascism

[Jim__]

2. If an athlete is drafted, I don't think they have much choice.

I may be wrong but, I believe that if you're drafted, you have to sign with the drafting team or sit out at least a year.

[Enter stage left]

3. Kudos to the NAACP...

Now it's time for the NCAA, NFL, NBA, MLB, and EVERY SINGLE WOMEN'S SPORTS TEAMS TO SAY TO TEXASS:

WE'LL BE BACK WHEN YOU JOIN THE REST OF CIVILIZED SOCIETY, FIRE YOUR GOVERNOR & AG, REPEAL YOUR ABORTION BILL, APPORTION YOUR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS FAIRLY, AND STOP ACTING LIKE FUCKING ASSHOLES!

Texass lives and dies on sports, can you even imagine the outrage from the Magat's if there was no more sports to watch with Texass teams?

Can you imagine the fury of the owners of the Texass sports teams if they couldn't rake in millions of dollars a week because they had no teams to play?

It's time to make it happen!



PS Texass is intentional.

[SouthBayDem]

5. The magats are willing to sacrifice sports for their agenda

Look at all the right wing pundits and their followers calling for boycotts of the pro sports leagues. They're an outspoken minority though.

[rpannier]

4. Most leagues (if not all do)

1st round draft picks usually have more pull
If they say they won't sign with a team, it can make some really nervous about wasting a 1st round pick.
There often isn't much leverage the team that drafts them can use in a trade if all the other teams know he won't play for that organization

[UTUSN]

6. K&R