NCAA lifts North Carolina ban after House Bill 2 repeal
By Drake Diacon
After state legislature repealed House Bill 2 — better known as the “bathroom bill'”– the NCAA lifted North Carolina’s hosting ban.
The NCAA Board of Governors announced via a press release early Tuesday that they voted “reluctantly” to lift their ban for the state of North Carolina. The vote will allow the state to be considered for future tournament hosting, including the 2017-18 season.
The vote follows the state legislature’s repeal of the controversial “bathroom bill.” The argued premise of the bill removed anti-discrimination protections of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
While House Bill 2 — or HB 2 — no longer exists, the state legislature replaced the bill with House Bill 142. The replacement measure was signed into law by Democratic Governor Roy Cooper.
Not everyone is a fan of the move.
The decision does not come without criticism, however. The ACLU released a statement on House Bill 142 and the NCAA’s vote. The group argued the new bill merely “doubles down” on some of the same problems HB 2 presented.
ACLU's @JamesEsseks: North Carolina’s new law does nothing to guarantee that LGBT people will be protected from discrimination. #HB2
— ACLU (@ACLU) April 4, 2017
As the @NCAA’s own statement acknowledges, the rights of trans student-athletes, coaches, and fans in particular remain in legal limbo. #HB2
— ACLU (@ACLU) April 4, 2017
Anti-LGBT leaders in the #NCGA have already signaled their intent to build off HB142 to pass more laws targeting trans people. #HB2
— ACLU (@ACLU) April 4, 2017
As @ACLUSarahG points out: HB142 doubles down on the dangerous lie that transgender people are a threat to public safety. #ncpol #RepealHB2
— ACLU (@ACLU) April 4, 2017
The @NCAA must stand by its word. Demand documentation of basic nondiscrimination policies before committing to North Carolina sites. #HB2
— ACLU (@ACLU) April 4, 2017
It doesn’t necessarily mean tournament sites are guaranteed to come back.
In their statement the NCAA made no promises to the state aside from “consideration of championship bids.” They also said, “If we find that our expectations of a discrimination-free environment are not met, we will not hesitate to take necessary action at any time.”
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Simply put, the NCAA can and will reinstitute their ban if or when they see fit.