A controversial bill that was recently passed in Arizona that would allow businesses to refuse service to people based on their sexual preference could wind up costing the state roughly $500 million next year. That financial loss would come in the form of the NFL moving Super Bowl XLIX to another location.
In a written statement on Monday, the Super Bowl host committee made it clear that it does not support the recent anti-gay law passed in Arizona, which could be vetoed by Gov. Jan Brewer.
“We share the NFL’s core values which embrace tolerance, diversity, inclusiveness and prohibit discrimination. In addition, a key part of the mission for the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee is to promote the economic vitality of Arizona. On that matter we have heard loud and clear from our various stakeholders that adoption of this legislation would not only run contrary to that goal but deal a significant blow to the state’s economic growth potential.”
“We do not support this legislation.”
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello later released a similar statement.
“Our policies emphasize tolerance and inclusiveness, and prohibit discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other improper standard,” he said, per the Washington Post. “We are following the issue in Arizona and will continue to do so should the bill be signed into law, but will decline further comment at this time.”
Think the league is bluffing? Think again. The NFL already took one Super Bowl away from Arizona in 1993 after the state refused to create a holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Given the fact that Michael Sam could become the first openly gay player in the NFL in less than three months, the legislation could not have come at a worse time for Arizona.
