A day after voters struck down an anti-discrimination ordinance that created protections for gay and transgendered people in Houston, the NFL issued a statement saying the league "will not alter plans to have the city host Super Bowl LI in 2017," according to Charles Robinson of YAHOO SPORTS. The NCAA, however, said that while the repeal "won't impact" the '16 Final Four, "it could deter future events in the city." NCAA VP/Men’s Basketball Championships Dan Gavitt said, "There are many factors in a thorough bid process that the NCAA considers when determining what cities will host the Final Four, including but not limited to local, city and state laws and ordinances." NFL VP/Communications Brian McCarthy said, "We will work closely with the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee to make sure all fans feel welcomed at our events. Our policies emphasize tolerance and inclusiveness, and prohibit discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other improper standard." Robinson noted prior to yesterday, the NFL's "only public mingling with the Houston anti-discrimination legislation came in October," when it was reported that Texans Owner Bob McNair had "donated $10,000 to an effort aimed at striking down the ordinance." McNair was "widely bashed for the move." McNair "quickly rescinded the donation after it became public" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 11/4). In N.Y., Fernandez & Blinder note Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin yesterday "called for an 'emergency meeting'" with the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell "to discuss Houston’s role as host of the Super Bowl" in '17 (N.Y. TIMES, 11/5).
