NCAA board OKs anti-discrimination measure for event bidding

The NCAA Board of Governors adopted an anti-discrimination measure Wednesday that would affect the way the governing body evaluates bids to host sporting events.

The Indianapolis-based NCAA said the decision came during the board's quarterly meeting. In a news release, the NCAA said it requires sites that are hosting events or bidding on them "to demonstrate how they will provide an environment that is safe, healthy and free of discrimination."

The NCAA said the decision follows actions of legislatures in several states. While the NCAA didn't specify which states, Mississippi and North Carolina have recently passed laws that critics say can allow discrimination against members of the LGBT community.

The release said the requirement is being integrated into a process that covers everything from access to people with disabilities to practice facilities.

"The higher education community is a diverse mix of people from different racial, ethnic, religious and sexual orientation backgrounds," board chairman and Kansas State president Kirk Schulz said in a written statement. "So it is important that we assure that community … will always enjoy the experience of competing and watching at NCAA championships without concerns of discrimination."

The NCAA haven't allowed championship events in states where governments fly the Confederate battle flag since 2001, as well as for blocking schools from hosting if they use "abusive or offensive" Native American imagery or mascots.

Earlier this month, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed a bill that allows government workers, religious groups and some private businesses to cite religious beliefs to deny services to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. It goes into effect July 1.

In North Carolina, Gov. Pat McCrory signed a bill in March that prevents local governments from passing their own anti-discrimination rules covering the use of public accommodations. That came in response to Charlotte leaders approving a measure that allowed transgender people to use the restroom aligned with their gender identity.

But the North Carolina law blocks local and state protections for LGBT people. It also takes away people's ability to use state law to sue over workplace discrimination. The new law has led to a public and business backlash, including protests and arrests at the legislature this week.

North Carolina has been a regular host to the first weekend of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, and is scheduled to host in 2017 and 2018.