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NCAA brings back tournament games to NC following HB2 repeal

By Blake Hanson
By Blake Hanson

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina is back to hosting NCAA championships after lawmakers repealed the controversial transgender bathroom law, House Bill 2, but none will be hosted in Charlotte.

The NCAA announced that there will be 10 Division I tournament games and championships in North Carolina through 2021. The sports championships include men's basketball, women's basketball, soccer, field hockey and swimming and diving.

[READ: Full list of NCAA Championship sites]

Criteria for selecting the host sites included creating what will be an exceptional experience for the student-athletes, along with adherence to NCAA bid specifications.

Specifications can include, but are not limited to, providing optimal facilities; ease of travel to the location and ample lodging; and adherence to NCAA principles, which include providing an atmosphere that is safe and respects the dignity of all attendees. The site selections follow the NCAA Board of Governors’ vote to allow consideration of championship bids in North Carolina.

“Working with our valued host institutions and conferences, as well as sports commissions and cities, to create a great atmosphere for student-athletes, coaches and fans with the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments is our goal every year,” said Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president of basketball. “We’re looking forward to working with the groups that earned preliminary-round basketball sites, as well as the local organizing committees already slated to host NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Fours.”

The Human Rights Campaign and Equality NC condemned the NCAA's decision to reward North Carolina with championship games.

“I want economic opportunity for all but, I don't think that it's the NCAA’s responsibility to cave to Republican leadership,” Matt Hirscy with Equality NC said.

The groups said that despite the HB2 repeal, the LGBT community is still discriminated against.

“The NCAA has fallen ‘hook, line, and sinker’ for this ‘bait and switch’ sham ‘deal’ doubling down on discrimination,” said JoDee Winterhof, HRC Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs. “Even worse, the NCAA has inexcusably gone back on its promise to ensure all championship games are held in locations that are safe, respectful, and free of discrimination. By rewarding North Carolina with championship games, the NCAA has undermined its credibility and is sending a dangerous message to lawmakers across the country who are targeting LGBTQ people with discriminatory state legislation.

HRC said it has submitted a Freedom of Information act to North Carolina public universities for all materials related to their bids for NCAA events.

Ready for business

NCAA tournament games are scheduled to be played at the Spectrum Center, in Charlotte, in 2018.

Flight Beer Garden and Music Hall is down the street from Spectrum Center.

The new business started up after HB2 became law.

“It hurt everyone pretty bad,” general manager Kevin Carolla said. “I think everyone knew it would be repealed at some point, but I think they just didn't know how long it would take.”

Uptown businesses are hoping today's NCAA announcement is a good sign.

“Hopefully it just kickstarts other people to go back to the way things were,” Carolla said.

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