ACC Will Consider North Carolina After HB2 Deal

The Atlantic Coast Conference will once again consider allowing North Carolina to host championship events after a deal regarding the state’s anti-LGBT law was agreed to this week.

House Bill 142 was passed and signed into law on Thursday. The deal was agreed to by Democratic Governor Roy Cooper and Republican leadership in the state House and Senate.

The law repeals House Bill 2. But it then gave sole authority to regulate multi-occupancy restrooms, showers and changing facilities going forward. The proposal also says local governments cannot “enact or amend” nondiscrimination ordinances that regulate private employment practices or public accommodations.

The NCAA had imposed a mid-day Thursday deadline for a satisfactory resolution to HB2 or the organization would not award North Carolina any events through 2022. The NCAA and ACC had moved events from the Tar Heel state due to HB2.

The ACC announced that it would once again consider North Carolina in a release Friday afternoon.

“The ACC Council of Presidents has voted that North Carolina will again be considered for hosting future ACC Championships.”

NCAA President Mark Emmert said on Thursday the organization’s board of directors — the association’s ultimate ruling body composed of mostly university presidents — will meet over the next several days with legal analysts. A decision about whether North Carolina sites will be considered as event hosts needs to be made by early next week, Emmert said.

UNC Chancellor Carol Folt issued a statement on the ACC Council of Presidents vote late Friday.

“This is a positive step for North Carolina, for our state’s economy and for our student-athletes and fans.  Lifting the ban will allow our state to continue moving forward.  At Carolina, our commitment to fostering a welcoming environment that supports all individuals is steadfast. We have robust non-discriminatory policies that remain in place, and this commitment to diversity and inclusion is what allows our campus to thrive.”