The State of Texas recently passed several pieces of reactionary legislation, including restrictions on abortion and voting.  Women, especially of color, and people of color in general will bear the brunt of this legislation.  

There are several major sporting events scheduled to be played in Texas in the next four years.  In 2023, the Men's Basketball semi-finals and finals are scheduled for Houston, and the Women's Basketball semi-finals and finals are scheduled for Dallas.  The 2023 College Football Playoff finals are slated to be played in Houston, and the 2025 Men's Basketball semi-finals and finals are scheduled to be played in San Antonio.  The Football Championship Series, for smaller colleges, is in Frisco until 2025.  

The NCAA, on its website, states a commitment to fairness, including diversity and gender equality.  Does this legislation show Texas shares the NCAA's commitment?  

Mark Emmert, the President of the NCAA, Joni Comstock, the Senior Vice President of Championships and Felicia Martin, Senior Vice President of Inclusion have the power to send a message to the State of Texas by relocating these events.  As other states copy Texas, social factors should be considered in selecting venues for future large events.  

There is precedent for cancelling events.  The National Basketball Association pulled its All-Star game from Charlotte, North Carolina in response to a 2017 law that targeted the transgender community and Major League Baseball moved this season's All-Star Game from Atlanta, Georgia to Denver, Colorado in response to restrictive voting laws.