Indiana's new "religious freedom bill" has now received a response from the Big Ten conference.
The new bill, signed by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, allows private businesses to refuse service to members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The NCAA released a statement Thursday, followed by reaction from the Big Ten.
The Big Ten Conference and its member institutions believe in promoting an inclusive environment in which athletic competition can operate free from discrimination. The conference is aware of the bill that was recently signed into law in the state of Indiana and will further review its impact at the next scheduled meetings of its administrators, presidents and chancellors.
Indy officials are reportedly concerned the state may lose the opportunity to host future Big Ten sporting events.
Multiple sources: Indy officials are concerned the Big Ten may consider pulling events due to the state's new law.
— Jeff Rabjohns (@JeffRabjohns) March 27, 2015Indiananapolis has hosted the Big Ten Conference Football Championship since the game began in 2011. The deal Indiana has with the conference makes Lucas Oil Stadium the host for the title game until 2021.
A petition started by Sean Burke of Wisconsin is heavily pushing for the Big Ten title game to be moved. Here's an excerpt from his page on Change.org:
A law such as this runs contrary to the ideals of the Big Ten Conference and puts students, fans and staff at risk of open discrimination based solely on who they love. Such law sends the message that members of the LBGT community are second class citizens contrary to the many contributions members of the LGBT community have made in areas such as science, the arts, architecture, business and not to mention sports.
The State of Indiana, as a member of the Big Ten Conference, needs to be told that it must live up to the ideals of the conference and respect all persons regardless of sex, age, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
There's been backing to get other sporting events moved out of Indiana as well. The list includes the 2016 NCAA Women's Final Four and future basketball games, USA Gymnastics' 2015 P&G Championships, the NFL's annual scouting combine, and USA Diving's 2016 Olympic trials.