The Atlantic Coast Conference has reached a deal with North Carolina to make up for the year the state lost the ability to host championship games because of its so-called “bathroom bill.”
North Carolina lost 10 ACC championship events for the 2016-17 season after it passed a bill requiring transgender people to use the bathroom that corresponds with their birth gender.
Last month, the state legislature passed a bill to repeal parts of the House Bill 2 law and the ACC announced a day later it would return to North Carolina in the 2017-18 season.
“We are pleased that ACC neutral site championships will return to the state of North Carolina beginning with the 2017-18 academic year,” said ACC commissioner John Swofford in a statement. “We value all of our partners in North Carolina and appreciate their support and cooperation. We are thrilled to renew our relationships with so many terrific people, outstanding cities and first-class venues.”
As part of the deal, North Carolina will host an extra year of championship games. For example, the ACC football title game will be held in Charlotte through 2020 instead of 2019.
The NCAA also awarded several championship games to North Carolina last month, from 2019 to 2022, because of the law change.
