The NFL has announced that it will not move the 2017 Super Bowl from Houston, Texas, even after the city’s vote to repeal an anti-discrimination law sparked outrage from LGBT activists and calls to move the big game to another city.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement to The New York Times Wednesday that the controversial vote “will not affect our plans for Super Bowl LI in 2017.”
“We will work closely with the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee to make sure all fans feel welcomed at our events,” he continued. “Our policies emphasize tolerance and inclusiveness, and prohibit discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or any other improper standard.”
Tuesday’s vote repealed the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, which the Houston City Council passed into law by an 11-6 vote in May, 2014.
The ordinance, among other protections, “would have banned discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity — criteria not covered by federal anti-discrimination laws — especially ‘in city employment, city services, city contracting practices, housing, public accommodations and private employment,'” according to Ballotpedia.
Several LGBT activists have asked the NFL to consider moving the 2017 Super Bowl, including Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin, who wrote to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell requesting a meeting to discuss “nondiscrimination protections” for Super Bowl attendees.
“Commissioner Goodell, you have emphasized the NFL’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, respect and fairness,” Griffin wrote. “If the Super Bowl is to remain in Houston, these protections need to be in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all those participating.”
A Change.org petition to take the Super Bowl away from Houston currently has over 800 supporters.
There is a precedent for the NFL moving Super Bowls based on political decisions. Arizona lost a Super Bowl bid in 1990 for not passing legislation to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, and might have lost its 2014 hosting privileges if the state had passed a law that would have allowed discrimination against LGBT citizens on religious grounds.
The NCAA has also been urged to move the Final Four of the men’s college basketball championships in April 2016 out of Houston. On Wednesday, they issued a similar response to the NFL.
“The NCAA has no plans to move the 2016 Final Four, as it takes years to plan and implement this world-class event,” Dan Gavitt, the NCAA’s vice president of men’s basketball championships, said in a statement to The New York Times. “We will continue to work with the Houston Local Organizing Committee to provide an inclusive environment for the student-athletes competing in and visitors attending our games and events in April.”
He did, however, say the vote could “impact the NCAA returning to Houston for a future” Final Four tournaments.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who opposed the ordinance, told the Times if the NFL does cave to pressure, it will only look bad for them.
“If the NFL decides they want to move the Super Bowl because the people of Texas stood up to keep men out of ladies’ bathrooms, then let’s just say the NFL should be very embarrassed,” he said.
