NCAA ‘very pleased’ with change to Indiana law

NCAA President Mark Emmert on Thursday praised Indiana for quickly addressing concerns that its new religious freedom legislation could allow discrimination against gays and lesbians.

“We are very pleased the Indiana legislature is taking action to amend Senate Bill 100 so that it is clear individuals cannot be discriminated against,” Emmert said in a statement.

“We look forward to the amended bill being passed quickly and signed into law expeditiously by the governor,” he added.

{mosads}The NCAA was looking to quell national outrage over the Hoosier State’s divisive law before its men’s basketball Final Four games this weekend. The championship tournament’s semi-final bouts will be played in Indianapolis on Saturday.

“NCCA core values call for an environment that is inclusive and non-discriminatory for our student-athletes, membership, fans, staff and their families,” Emmert said.

Indiana lawmakers on Thursday announced they were altering the Religious Freedom Restoration Act amid public outcry. 

The changes prevent businesses from discriminating based on sexual orientation or gender identity and forbid using the law as a legal defense for similar practices toward other protected groups

Gov. Mike Pence (R) signed the controversial bill into law on March 26. Its details immediately spawned a trend on Twitter proposing a boycott of the state.

The uproar soon included calls for the NCAA to move its popular hoops showcase away from its home state. NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley joined that chorus Monday by calling the law “unacceptable.”

ABC reported Thursday that the standoff presented a particularly tricky situation, given that the NCAA is based in Indianapolis. It schedules one of its men’s or women’s basketball tournaments there every five years as part of an arrangement with its host city.

Critics of the law argue that without changes it would have enabled business discrimination of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals on the basis of religion.

Its supporters, meanwhile, claim it prevents government intervention in business decisions made on the basis of faith.