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Sports figures, entities comment on Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act

NCAA: “The NCAA national office and our members are deeply committed to providing an inclusive environment for all our events. We are especially concerned about how this legislation could affect our student-athletes and employees. We will work diligently to assure student-athletes competing in, and visitors attending, [the] Men’s Final Four in Indianapolis are not impacted negatively by this bill. Moving forward, we intend to closely examine the implications of this bill and how it might affect future events as well as our workforce.”

NFL: “Our policies emphasize tolerance and inclusiveness and prohibit discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or any other improper standard.”

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, on Twitter: “The Colts have always embraced inclusiveness, tolerance, and a diverse fan base. We welcome ALL fans to Colts Nation. ONE FAMILY!”

NBA, WNBA, Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever joint statement: “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.”

Arn Tellem, agent and Wasserman Media Group vice chairman, in an email to The New York Times published last week: “I urge the Indiana Pacers, the NCAA and the professional sports leagues to not only condemn this blatantly unconstitutional legislation, but to take forceful action against it by re-evaluating their short- and long-term plans in the state.”

Charles Barkley, as quoted in USA Today last week: “Discrimination in any form is unacceptable to me. As long as anti-gay legislation exists in any state, I strongly believe big events such as the Final Four and Super Bowl should not be held in those states’ cities.”

NASCAR: “NASCAR is disappointed by the recent legislation passed in Indiana. We will not embrace nor participate in exclusion or intolerance. 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.”
n IndyCar: “For 105 years, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has engaged millions who want to celebrate the true spirit of American racing. IMS will continue to warmly welcome all who share our enthusiasm for motorsports — employees, participants and fans. We can also confirm that this is the position of all Hulman & Co. organizations, including IndyCar. We welcome everyone.” (Hulman is the parent of IMS and IndyCar.)

Billie Jean King: “I can’t believe we are having this conversation in 2015. It is such an important issue and one that requires us to do more than raise our voices. We need to take action, and if that means a sports boycott of Indiana, I am all for it. This law is a slap in the face to the missions and ideals of the sporting organizations based in Indiana, the athletes and leaders they represent, and the fans and communities who support them. We can’t afford to watch this from the sidelines.”

U.S. Tennis Association: “We will be monitoring the effects, if any, of the recent law, and will take appropriate action if we deem it necessary.”

Sources: Published reports, SportsBusiness Journal reporting

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