The conclusion Texas lawmakers reach on a controversial bathroom bill next month "impacts the Cowboys' opportunity" to land the '18 NFL Draft, according to sources cited by David Moore of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. NFL officials have "no interest in drawing a line in the ideological sand" heading into next month's special session of Texas Legislature, and the timing of the NFL's decision "isn't tied to the Texas legislative schedule," which begins its special session July 18. The league "has awarded the draft in August, September and October the last three years." But the timetable "works to the league's advantage by letting the issue play out without inserting itself into what has become a contentious public debate." The "potential fallout from the business community and sports leagues became a topic of conversation" around Super Bowl LI in Houston. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott suggested the NFL "needed to concentrate on football and 'get the heck out of politics.'" The NFL will not "say anything now because of that outburst" by Abbott, as it "would be counterproductive." However, that "doesn't mean there's any equivocation on the league's stance." But in the end, the NFL's decision on whether the Cowboys host the Draft "won't come down to the club's ability to stage the event at one or two venues." It will "come down to what the Texas legislature does on bathroom access" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/10). In Philadelphia, Rob Tornoe noted the Texas bill is "similar to the legislation that was enacted in North Carolina," which led to the NCAA pulling seven championship games from the state last year. If the NFL "skips Dallas, Philadelphia could end up landing hosting duties for the draft for the second year in a row" (PHILLY.com, 6/11).
