Charles Barkley: Move Final Four Out of Indiana

[William769]

Always outspoken, NBA superstar and commentator Charles Barkley says plainly that the Final Four should be moved out of Indiana.

“Discrimination in any form is unacceptable to me,” said Barkley in a statement to USA Today. “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.”

When Arizona governor Jan Brewer was considering whether to sign one of these license to discriminate bills last year, the NFL suggested it might move the Super Bowl out of the state.

The big college basketball game is held every year in Indianapolis. And immediately after passing its license to discriminate law, Indiana has been questioned as the long-term home for March Madness. Among the first to speak up was Jason Collins, the first out man to play in the NBA who is now covering March Madness as a commentator for Yahoo Sports.

http://www.advocate.com/sports/2015/03/29/charles-barkley-move-final-four-out-indiana

Mr. Charles Barkley

[KG]

1. NFL combine - time to move that

[KamaAina]

10. Along with the Dolts themselves

L.A. is shopping around.

[Journeyman]

2. Had the law been passed earlier in the year, I'd agree, but . . .

this close to the Final there will be a substantial number of LGBT supporters in Indiana with a lot of money invested in preparing for this coming weekend. Not everyone in Indiana supports this odious law, and to punish our supporters for the actions of the bigots among them is unacceptable.

Yes, the bigots will gain a short term reprieve from the "just desserts" their actions should receive, but that's small consolation for them in light of the many commitments that can and should be made this week to not schedule events in Indiana until this odious law is repealed. As jmowreader makes clear in another thread (http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026434049), there are and will be many upcoming events that can be moved or simply not scheduled to be held in Indiana. The message can be gotten across, without costing supporters a fortune in prep expenses.

[rladdi]

13. Why are the Indiana voters electing these radicals. They must support them or they would not elect

them. If the people of the state cannot get it right, then the nation of people need to step forward and help them make clear decisions on who they elect to office.

[zappaman]

3. Good for Charles!

Has Elizabeth Warren weighed in on this?
Just curious...

[movonne]

4. I think moving any large gatherings out of a state that can discriminate

against any of our citizens is the thing to do...some might find it hard to find a places to stay, eat and generally feel uncomfortable..

[Skittles]

5. thanking Mr. Barkley

he is correct - one should not tolerate discrimination, end of story

[central scrutinizer]

6. He was silent today

I watched a little of the BBall coverage on CBS today and he had a national audience but I heard nothing except Xs and Os.

[jimlup]

7. Maybe it should be held "in the Annapolis"

Sorry, I hate commerical based jokes but I couldn't help myself. I assume you've seen the commerical if you watch college basketball.

[MFrohike]

8. One thing

I don't disagree, but the article is wrong in one regard. The final four is held every five years in Indy, as NCAA bylaws require. The article states that it's held every year.

I think it's a good idea. South Carolina built the Bi-Lo Center for the tournament and hasn't hosted a tournament game in years because they refuse to take down the Stars and Bars. Since the Supreme Court and Congress are dragging ass on this issue, I think that if you want to discriminate yourself into poverty, have at it.*



*The better solution is for the court and Congress to remind them that no American has the right to discriminate. This is a good stop-gap measure in the meantime.

[rladdi]

12. I DISAGREE, WHY ARE THE REPUBLICANS CONTROLLING THE ACTION OF THE

NCAA? The colleges and players should refuse to play in an Republican controlled state. "no American has the right to discriminate, except if your a Republican. The US Supreme Court will back you.

[LynneSin]

9. I knew there was no way to move the Final 4. Pence and the GOP probably timed the signing...

to make sure that it would be almost impossible for the move. To make the move you'd have to find a city that would have tens of thousands of hotel rooms available now for the fans coming to the game and it would be a near impossibly to find that without postponing the game for weeks or perhaps months. And that is not right to do to the Students and Fans of the games who have not done anything wrong for this.

But what the NCAA can do right now is easy - move the Women's Final, which is being held next year in Indianapolis. There is absolutely no reason why the NCAA can't move that tournament now because it would be very easy for any city to start blocking hotel space and making accomadations for this tournament. And it would be a great way for the NCAA to show they are not just about saying they are 'all inclusive' (which they have done) but showing it!

I do hope for the Students and Fans going to Indiana this week that they make it a point to patronize those business that show signs that they do not discriminate against anyone. I think when businesses see customers walk away because business owners want to discriminate then maybe those business owners will understand why this law is a bad law!

[rladdi]

11. The NCAA is controlled by the Republicans. In fact, all there tournaments are played in Republican

states. The colleges and basketball players should refuse to play in INDIANA. They need to take a stand. Stand up against the NCAA and it Republican control.