Keith Olbermann Calls Out NCAA For Not Moving Final Four Out Of Indiana

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM

ESPN host Keith Olbermann criticized the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) on Monday for not moving the Final Four games from Indianapolis after Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) signed the religious freedom bill that may allow businesses to discriminate against gay people.

Olbermann called on the NCAA to move the Final Four games and the league's headquarters from Indianapolis and use its "moral force" against the law.

"It is presented to this nation in the insidious guise expressed in its title, the ‘Religious Freedom Restoration Act.’ Which is not about freedom, but about the loss of freedom. Which is not about religion, but about discrimination cloaked in religion. Which is not about the restoration of anything, except the hatred and prejudice of 50 or 100 years ago," Olbermann said of Indiana's new law.

NCAA President Mark Emmert released a statement last week saying that while the Final Four will go on in Indiana, the league will "closely examine the implications of this bill and how it might affect future events as well as our workforce."

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Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/olbermann-ncaa-final-four-indiana

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[niyad]

1. we need KO back on the national political stage, NOW!!!!!!!

[LynneSin]

2. And delay the game for perhaps months finding another location and punish Indianapolis?

Pence purposively waited until mid-way through the tournament knowing it could not be moved without a delay.

And the Mayor of Indianapolis has already come out strongly AGAINST the Indiana Law decreeing that no businesses in the city would be protected if they practiced discrimination. Oh and that mayor is a republican and it was an executive order he issued almost immediately. So now we should punished Indianapolis, a city that has bent over backwards to go against what the rest of the state has done?

Where was Keith weeks ago when this law was pending perhaps urging the NCAA to use their clout to threaten a move?

[samsingh]

3. i miss keith from before his meltdown. hopefully he can become relevant again

he was very brave standing up to the bushies before it was fashionable. It was pretty much Jon Stewart, Colbert, and Keith in those dark years - years stolen from all our lives from the repug treacherous monsters.

[cosmicone]

4. Actually

it would be more powerful if NCAA put on all the teams' jerseys a sign like this:

?1393166831


Then the entire audience will know what it is about. That would tar and feather the repukes far more than just moving the tournament.

[JonLP24]

5. "moral force" and NCAA in the same sentence?

All I want is "student-athletes" to be afforded the same labor rights we enjoy as all Americans. No more, no less.

[d_legendary1]

6. Isn't this the same NCAA that restored Joe Paterno's legacy

by restoring his record at the expense of Sandusky's victims? The same institution that values football over ethics? Ya think that same NCAA is going to move a big game that will generate millions of dollars into their coffers to protest discriminatory policies?

I wouldn't hold my breath.

[Doctor_J]

7. Sorry, the logistics were just intractable in this case

Great sentiment, but impossible at this late date.

[DiverDave]

11. HUH?

you don't think Portland, LA, New York would roll out the red carpet for the final four?
Yes, they can move it. And should.
Fuck pence and fuck the indiana legislature

[Calista241]

12. What about all the parents and teams and family members

That had already made expensive travel arrangements? The Media had already positioned millions of dollars worth of equipment, and secured places for employees to stay.

And that's nothing compared to all the legally binding contracts signed and all but unbreakable at such a late date.

Putting on these types of events takes YEARS of planning, it's not just stuffing 20 players onto a court and blowing the whistle.

[tammywammy]

13. +1. The logistics of moving the Final Four a week or two before the game makes it impossible.

[Doctor_J]

14. There are 10's of thousands of people with plane tickets, hotel reservations, plans to visit friends

and so forth. Surely you can see that moving this to Seattle would cause a nightmare.

[blkmusclmachine]

8. ,

,

[seveneyes]

9. Not practicable in this case

I thought he was a bit more wise and pragmatic than he is exhibiting in this instance.

[damyank913]

15. Completely agree. I thought he was smarter than this.

I'm pretty sure he realizes the logistical nightmare moving the games would be more than most. I think he's probably playing to his audience.

[DiverDave]

10. KO speaks for me.

and so much more eloquently.
Ty for sharing this
Rec'ed and kicked