Charlotte and Greensboro, N.C., could lose their NCAA tournament hosting privileges if they do not demonstrate to the NCAA that they have made their basketball arenas discrimination-free zones, NCAA officials told ESPN on Wednesday.
North Carolina recently passed a law that prevent cities from enacting anti-discrimination measures in public arenas. Critics of the law have said it discriminates against the LGBTQ community.
The NCAA passed an anti-discrimination measure on Wednesday at their quarterly meeting, where revoking the North Carolina cities’ hosting rights for the first and second rounds of the 2017 and 2018 tournaments was discussed.
“Currently awarded sites must report how they will provide an environment that is safe, healthy and free of discrimination, plus safeguards the dignity of everyone involved in the event,” the NCAA said in a statement. “The information must be reported to the Board of Governors Ad Hoc Committee to Promote Cultural Diversity and Equity, and full implementation is expected during the current bidding process.”
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NBA commissioner Adam Silver has also said the league could move the 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte if the law is not changed.
