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NCAA's Emmert Seeks Clarification Of Indiana Law Amid Pressure To Move Future Events

NCAA President Mark Emmert yesterday said he was "deeply concerned" about the state of Indiana's new religious freedom law, as it has a "lot of uncertainty and obviously lacks clarity." This weekend's Final Four is being held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, and Emmert said on ESPNU's "Katz Korner," "We simply have to operate our events and conduct our affairs in an environment that reflects the core values of what higher education is about ... and that’s an environment that celebrates diversity and provides for a very inclusive supportive environment. And right now, we’re not sure that we have that." He added, "We have to evaluate this. We don’t want to overreact but we also want to make sure that everyone understands the seriousness of intent here." Emmert said he hopes any potential protests against the law will impact the Final Four "not at all." He said, "We’ll have many, many thousands of people come into town. We want them to have a great experience. The city and the mayor are committed to that, the business leaders that I’ve talked to here are very committed to that." However, he said the NCAA has to "sit down and say, ‘Alright, if this environment remains the way it is what does that mean for us going forward?’ We hold lots and lots of events here" ("Katz Korner," ESPNU, 3/30). Emmert said, “Between now and July, when this law would come into effect, the members of the NCAA have to stop and say, ‘What relationship do we want with the state of Indiana?’" ("Squawk Box," CNBC, 3/31). He added that he had "heard from several members who opposed the law and that he had been in touch with the boards of all three divisions." He added that NCAA membership "will discuss the law next month at quarterly meetings." Emmert: "Most of the commentary will likely be coordinated through the association and the governing bodies. Individual schools can express their views as they see fit -- and often do" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/31).

TIME FOR NCAA TO MOVE EVENTS? Emmert said that he has talked with Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Indiana state Rep. Brian Bosma and Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and that he wants to see "clarifications before determining what the legislation means to the NCAA." Emmert at this point said he is "not sure" that the NCAA would relocate the '16 women's Final Four from Indianapolis if the law is enacted. He said, "We'd have to consider it and discuss it. ... You don't want to disrupt an event that's been in the making so long it'll change the experience for the student-athletes, but if we have to move events, we'll do it and do it in a way that provides student-athletes the experience they deserve and have worked for" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 3/31). Big 12 Senior Associate Commissioner Dru Hancock, who also serves as D-I women's basketball committee Chair, said that more information is needed about the law "before the committee would engage in serious discussion about moving" the women’s Final Four. Hancock in a text message yesterday wrote that she "expects there to be a 'conversation' about the situation" at next week's women's Final Four in Tampa. She wrote it would be "highly premature to do anything before we know more" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/31). In Connecticut, Brian Koonz writes a "disastrous season would be one that crowns its national champion in Indiana next year if this law stands as written." Emmert "needs to yank" the '16 Final Four from Indianapolis "today." Koonz: "Not tomorrow. Not next week. Today." The NCAA for once "should make a decision based on integrity, not money" (CONNECTICUT POST, 3/31). Meanwhile, ESPN’s Keith Olbermann said this weekend's Final Four "must be moved out of Indianapolis," and the NCAA "must move its headquarters out of the same city." Olbermann: "There are times in the history of this country in which sports not only influences our destiny, but leads it. This is such a time for the NCAA, for the NFL, for the NBA and, most importantly perhaps, for all of us as the consumers who constitute the backbone of the sports industry” (“Olbermann,” ESPN2, 3/30).

OVERSHADOWING THE GAMES: Emmert on Thursday will hold his annual Final Four press conference, and in Indianapolis, Gregg Doyel writes anyone with an agenda "will be calling for the microphone to ask Emmert when the NCAA plans to move" the '16 women's Final Four, as well as the '21 men's Final Four, out of Indianapolis. Emmert said, "This is a very, very important political issue. Make no mistake about it. ... But it would have been preferable obviously to not have it connected to the Final Four." Doyel notes there is the "need for additional security at Lucas Oil Stadium and other Final Four venues, what with protests possible, even likely." This Final Four is "a godsend to the NCAA." But Emmert yesterday "spent 15 minutes on live television with ESPNU and another 15 or so minutes on the phone" with Doyel, and "not once was he asked" about basketball (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 3/31). TIME's Sean Gregory wrote sports fans this week "will turn their eyes towards Indianapolis and what promises to be a memorable Final Four." This year's event "features star players and brand-name coaches," making for a "dream showcase for the NCAA." Gregory: "Too bad all anyone can talk about is Indiana. ... Final Four hosts cities are like the refs. If they’re the topic of conversation, something must have gone terribly wrong" (TIME.com, 3/30).

NOT SO SIMPLE
: MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough notes Indiana is now one of 20 states that has a religious freedom law, and the NCAA “should focus on all 20 states” (“Morning Joe,” MSNBC, 3/31). In DC, Will Hobson noted Texas and Louisiana, two recurring Final Four host locations, are among those states. If Emmert and the NCAA are "truly concerned about avoiding states where discrimination based on sexual orientation has not been outlawed ... then their travel options will be even more limited." The NCAA "has picked sites" for men’s Final Fours through '21 and women’s through '20. Only one -- the men’s '19 championship in Minneapolis -- "takes place in a state where it is illegal to discriminate against gay people" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 3/30). ESPNW's Kate Fagan wrote instead of calling for the NCAA "to take its business elsewhere, how about this: Back up your claims that this 'religious freedom' bill isn't meant to legalize discrimination against LGBT people." Fagan: "I do see how this bill, in its truest spirit ... could have value, if that's truly how it will be implemented." But even so, concrete protections "should exist for LGBT people who, in the most twisted application of this bill, could be discriminated against" (ESPNW.com, 3/30).

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