NCAA reportedly is on the verge of blackballing North Carolina for years over bathroom bill

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

The state of North Carolina already has lost out on hosting a number of sporting events because of House Bill 2, which mandates that transgender people use the bathroom corresponding with their birth gender in state-run facilities and bans North Carolina municipalities from enacting anti-discrimination policies. This academic year alone, the NCAA moved seven events out of the state, including first- and second-round games of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament that were scheduled for Greensboro. The ACC relocated 10 neutral-site championships, including its football championship game in Charlotte. The NBA, meanwhile, moved this season’s All-Star Game from Charlotte to New Orleans.

By one estimate, HB2 has cost the state between $77 million and $201 million in tourism and tax revenue (a number of businesses also canceled expansion plans in the state because of the law) and, according to a North Carolina group that recruits and promotes major sporting events in the state, that number will only go up because the NCAA is on the verge of keeping its major events — 133 of them — out of North Carolina through 2022.

“Our contacts at the NCAA tell us that, due to their stance on HB2, all North Carolina bids will be pulled from the review process and removed from consideration,” Scott Dupree of the N.C. Sports Association and Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance wrote in a letter that will be sent to members of the North Carolina House of Representatives and General Assembly. “That process will begin in the various sports committees starting in 7 to 10 days and continuing through February. At that point, we will be faced with a six-year drought of NCAA championships in North Carolina.”

An NCAA drought through 2022 could cost the state $250 million in “potential economic impact,” Dupree writes.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2017/02/06/ncaa-reportedly-is-on-the-verge-of-blackballing-north-carolina-for-years-over-bathroom-bill/?utm_term=.59ef738761c6&wpisrc=nl_break&wpmm=1

[Solly Mack]

1. K&R

[LisaM]

2. But how does this affect regular, particularly lower-income, citizens?

These huge NCAA events have turned into corporate junkets. A lot of times, the average Joe simply can't afford a ticket. They barely acknowledge the alumni of the school, much less the average citizens who live in the state. Large sporting events probably epitomizes the wealth gap almost more than anything. Point being, that most basketball-loving North Carolinians are priced out. This won't affect them. That it will affect restaurant and hotel workers in the big cities probably doesn't matter to them. If it did, I think we'd have heard more of an outcry.

I know North Carolina is a very divided state right now. I don't support the bathroom ban in any way, shape, or form. I think it's cruel, among other things. Who would leave a fellow human without access to basic facilities?

[FSogol]

4. Not true. I've been to March Madness games before and I paid less for tickets than I would have for

regular season NFL game or good NHL seats. They also make a lot of tickets available for the schools. How else do you think so many students show up?

The ban will hurt the state and the average NC'er. Think of the extra taxes on hotel rooms, rental cars, food service, etc that will go elsewhere. Less business for NC businesses and less tax money. All because some religious nutjobs want a group of people to hate. Voting is important and it is becoming clear that voting for the GOP will hurt the economy. Hope people are paying attention.

[LisaM]

6. Sure , students. And they'd be against the bathroom ban.

And the revenue benefits the cities that host. I mean the low-income voters. I think that pulling these events has little impact on them. They will probably notice it more when their teams never get home court advantage in the playoffs.

[Phoenix61]

3. Serves NC right

Hope Texas is watching this.

[bathroommonkey76]

5. This law will be repealed this year. nt