If Arizona allows an “anti-gay” bill to become law, it could be game over for Super Bowl fans in the Grand Canyon State.
The NFL has begun preliminary discussions about moving the 2015 Super Bowl from Arizona if the controversial bill protecting businesses who refuse to serve gay customers on religious grounds becomes law, Sport Illustrated reported Wednesday.
“No one wants to do this, but if the league’s hand is forced, it would have to begin preparing for that process,” a source close to the situation told Sports Illustrated. “If this doesn’t get vetoed, it has to know, what has to be done next? That discussion has begun.”
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has until Saturday to veto the bill, which proponents are calling a “religious freedom” measure.
But criticism has been withering, and on Tuesday the NFL said it opposes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, that it was closely following developments.
If Super Bowl XLIX is moved, Sports Illustrated reported that the most likely new venue would be the Tampa Bay area, which was a runner-up in the 2011 selection process.
It also wouldn’t be the first time the NFL yanked a Super Bowl from Arizona over politics.
The league in 1993 moved the Super Bowl from the Phoenix area and held it in Pasadena, Calif., after Arizona voters refused to approve a paid holiday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1990.
There has been speculation that Brewer would veto the polarizing bill, but so far the governor has not said whether she will kill the proposed legislation.
Brewer on Wednesday held a series of private meetings Wednesday with opponents and proponents of Senate Bill 1062.
Among those meeting with the governor was the bill’s primary sponsor, Sen. Steve Yarbrough, R-Chandler. He defended the proposal and said his efforts were intended to extend the reach of the state’s religious freedom law to businesses and corporations and allow those sued for discrimination to cite the law even when the government isn’t a party. He said a veto would be disappointing.
“It’s quality legislation, and there’s no good reason at all as far of the merit of this bill to not sign it,” Yarbrough said. “This bill does simply, basically, three things … and that all it does. And it doesn’t have anything to do with creating opportunities for discrimination that in any fashion is greater than what exists in the law currently. “
Brewer also met with three GOP state senators who oppose the bill. Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) on Monday took to Twitter to voice his opposition to the bill, and urged Brewer to veto it.
“Our position is clear — we think it is a mistake for Arizona to have this controversy, and we would like her to veto the bill,” said Sen. Bob Worsley, R-Mesa. “It’s very frustrating to her to see what the state’s going through. It’s very painful. We’ve worked hard for five years to improve this state and get it past …being on the front page of the paper. And this is very frustrating. This wasn’t expected, and there’s just a lot of damage being done that’s unnecessary.”
Major League Baseball on Wednesday also issued a statement criticizing the bill, saying, “as the sport of Jackie Robinson, Major League Baseball and its 30 clubs stand united behind the principles of respect, inclusion and acceptance. Those values are fundamental to our game’s diverse players, employees and fans. We welcome individuals of different sexual orientations, races, religions, genders and national origins.”
“MLB will neither support nor tolerate any words, attitudes or actions that imperil the inclusive communities that we have strived to foster within our game.”
— with AP