Indiana's Religious Freedom Law Draws Response from Sports World
Indiana's new Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which could allow private businesses to deny service to LGBT patrons, has drawn a response from various sports leagues, teams and figures.
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Indiana Governor Looks to Amend Bill, NCAA Responds
Thursday, April 2
According to Tony Cook and Tom LoBianco of the Indianapolis Star, the amended bill would "make it clear no one will 'be able to discriminate against anyone at any time.'"
The NCAA released a statement on the potential changes to the bill that were being presented in the Indiana senate:
"We are very pleased the Indiana legislature is taking action to amend Senate Bill 101 so that it is clear individuals cannot be discriminated against. NCAA core values call for an environment that is inclusive and non-discriminatory for our student-athletes, membership, fans, staff and their families. We look forward to the amended bill being passed quickly and signed into law expeditiously by the governor.
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With Indianapolis playing host to this weekend's Final Four, the College Football Playoff meetings and NCAA headquarters, the response from college sports' governing body has been swift. NCAA President Mark Emmert made it clear the NCAA does not approve of the law, via ESPN's Dana O'Neil:
"[We] believe that it absolutely, positively needs to get fixed. It's a bill that creates an environment within which college athletics would find it very difficult to operate.
(...)
If I believed we couldn't conduct our affairs in a fashion that didn't prohibit discrimination against people for any number of reasons, then I would surely recommend that we move.
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Indiana University released a statement on Thursday applauding the new development:
"Indiana University expresses its appreciation and support for this clarifying language, which ensures that nothing in the Religious Freedom Restoration Act will provide legal protection for, or in any way promote or permit, discrimination in any form on the basis of a person’s sexual orientation or their race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, disability, sex, gender identity or military service. We are grateful for the hard work and good intentions of those who have earnestly labored in recent days to address this problem.
Indiana University asks all Hoosiers to remember that religious liberty and equal protection under the law are both cornerstones of our democracy and they should not be in conflict with each other. Our system of government works best when people of good will come together to reconcile their differences and find common ground.
We are pleased that this has happened in this situation, and it is our hope and expectation that this clarification will now allow all Hoosiers to put this matter behind us and work together to promote a better image and indeed a better future for the State of Indiana.
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Final Four Coaches Release Statement on Law
Wednesday, April 1
Zach Osterman of the Indy Star noted that the Final Four coaches issued a joint statement, which Jeff Rabjohns of Rivals.com provided in full:
Multple Sports Organizations Comment on Indiana's Religious Freedom Law
Tuesday, March 31
Governor Mike Pence signed the law into effect last week. Pence stated today he would look to clarify the bill in order to ensure it does not create a discriminatory environment.
“I’ve come to the conclusion that it would be helpful to move legislation this week that makes it clear that this law does not give businesses the right to discriminate against anyone,” Pence said, per Campbell Robertson and Richard Perez-Pena of The New York Times.
UConn president Susan Herbst announced the school's men's basketball staff won't be attending the Final Four in Indiana. Don Amore of the Hartford Courant provided a statement from Herbst:
"In support of Gov. Malloy's travel ban to the state of Indiana, Kevin Ollie and other members of the UConn men's basketball staff will not travel to Indianapolis for the NCAA Final Four and events surrounding it. UConn is a community that values all of our members and treats each person with the same degree of respect, regardless of their background and beliefs, and we will not tolerate any other behavior.
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There have been ongoing protests throughout the state since the law was signed and numerous calls for those inside and outside the sports world to boycott Indiana altogether. Amid the controversy, Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard said the LGBT community traveling to the state for the Final Four would not run into any problems as a result of the law.
"For those who plan to travel to our city for this weekend's upcoming Final Four, let me be clear: Indy welcomes all," Ballard said, per Mashable's Megan Specia. "Residents, visitors and our workforce have always been and continue to be protected by our city's human rights ordinance."
Earlier Tuesday, USC athletic director Pat Haden announced he will not attend the College Football Playoff committee meeting this week in Indianapolis:
Criticism of the law has continued throughout the professional sports world as well. The NBA, the Indiana Pacers and the WNBA's Indiana Fever released a joint statement over the weekend ensuring equal rights to fans: “The game of basketball is grounded in long established principles of inclusion and mutual respect. We will continue to ensure that all fans, players and employees feel welcome at all NBA and WNBA events in Indiana and elsewhere.”
The NFL has not issued an official position at this time.
"We do not have a comment at this time," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said, per Mark Alesia of The Indianapolis Star. "We are in the process of studying the law and its implications."
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, however, has come out condemning the law, indicating it goes against what the franchise stands for:
Professional motorsports, the hub of which many believe is in Indiana, has also spoken out against the law. NASCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway each issued statements Tuesday.
"NASCAR is disappointed by the recent legislation passed in Indiana. We will not embrace nor participate in exclusion or intolerance," said Brett Jewkes, NASCAR senior vice president and chief communications officer, in a statement. "We are committed to diversity and inclusion within our sport and therefore will continue to welcome all competitors and fans at our events in the state of Indiana and anywhere else we race."
Neither Major League Baseball nor the National Hockey League have a team in Indiana. Neither organization has issued a comment at this time.
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