North Carolina will repeal its HB2 law, in response to threats from the NCAA to remove championship and sporting events from the state.
The deal was reached late Wednesday night between state lawmakers and Governor Roy Cooper. The agreement comes just one day before the NCAA’s deadline for North Carolina to change the bathroom ordinance or lose all postseason sporting events between 2018 and 2022. The state’s bathroom ordinance required that all persons use restrooms that correspond to their assigned gender at birth.
The NCAA doubled-down on its stance against the bill last week, while meeting to determine future postseason events. The NCAA issued this statement, reaffirming their position:
“Last year, the NCAA Board of Governors relocated NCAA championships scheduled in North Carolina because of the cumulative impact HB2 had on local communities’ ability to assure a safe, healthy, discrimination free atmosphere for all those watching and participating in our events. Absent any change in the law, our position remains the same regarding hosting current or future events in the state.”
North Carolina’s State Legislature will vote on the repeal Thursday morning.
Follow Dylan Gwinn on Twitter: @themightygwinn