Mark Emmert and the NCAA are glad to see Indiana revise its Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), but they are waiting to see what those changes look like.
The NCAA, collegiate athletics' governing body, is based in Indianapolis and they have a number of events planned for the city over the next several years, including this year's Final Four of the men's basketball tournament.
According to the Washington Post, Emmert gave a news conference at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium, where the Final Four will be held. He said Thursday he had spoken to Ind. Gov. Mike Pence about the RFRA and feels confident the revisions will satisfy his concerns.
"This bill is more important than a basketball tournament," Emmert said at the news conference. "Are we happy that this debate is occurring during the middle of Final Four week? Of course not... But we hope they can resolve it quickly, not just because of this event, but because it's an important issue to get the law right on and to get it right fast."
Pence signed the RFRA into law last week and the bill's critics quickly pointed out its language seemed to allow business owners the right to discriminate on homosexuals based on their religious beliefs. Amid widespread backlash, Pence signed a revision to the bill Thursday, the Post reported.
Multiple people in collegiate sports have publicly said they will not travel to Indiana for key events because of the RFRA.
"The issue here was one that was, first of all, near and dear to us because we have 500 employees in this state. We run the enterprise from here. We have to attract a diverse workforce," Emmert said. "I don't know the statutes in Texas or other places, but I think those are things that, as we go forward, as we make big decisions about places we should take our tournaments, we're going to have to look deeper and harder at."
