Final Four Moved? Emmert to Doyel on RFRA: 'If we have to move events, we'll do it''

[marym625]

"I hate to see the Final Four, which you fully appreciate as this extraordinary event — second only maybe to the Super Bowl, and certainly the dominant collegiate event in America — get caught up in a political debate," Emmert told me Monday. "This is a very, very important political issue. Make no mistake about it. It's why we take it so seriously. But it would have been preferable obviously to not have it connected to the Final Four."

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2015/03/30/emmert-doyel-rfra-move-events/70689276/


Good! I hope it is moved. I feel bad for all the people that may have a problem getting to wherever it is moved but this is more important

[Downwinder]

1. Move now while there is still time.

[marym625]

2. I suspect we'll hear something by tomorrow

I am sure they have to secure a new location

[Downwinder]

3. Not much else conflicting this weekend.

[marym625]

4. I would think things still have to be worked out

The United Center in Chicago isn't too far!

[Downwinder]

5. Not that! The Mayor would take credit.

[marym625]

6. True

But maybe this time he deserves it, if he gets it. I understand he has been courting some Indiana businesses pretty hard since pence signed the bill

But yeah, it might help him in the election. I don't think it will happen. There are plenty of places that would work that are much closer.

[Angleae]

7. If they move it, the NCAA will be sued into oblivion.

Both from the cith of Indianapolis and from the fans who paid money for not only tickets, but airfare and hotels.

[marym625]

10. I'm sure that they have something on the sale of tickets

About changes in venue. And I would bet they're trying to work stuff out so it inconveniences people as little as possible.

[MattSh]

29. And I'm sure you don't understand how these types of things work...

There's likely a clause about changes in venue if the venue becomes unusable. Floods, roof collapse, etc. Contracts generally don't allow for a change of venue because of political stupidity.

[marym625]

34. I appreciate your input

But I understand. And though I doubt they will do it, it can still be done

[Major Hogwash]

31. The fans could be bussed a mere 185 miles to Chicago!

Once they arrive in Indianapolis.
Sports DJs on the radio have been talking about this very thing all night long.

The NCAA owns all exclusive rights to the tournament, so good luck with that lawsuit you were talking about.

[Angleae]

36. How do you plan on cramming 50000 people in a stadium built for 20000 (per game)?

The largest indoor arena in Chicago is the United Center with a capacity of about 20000. On top of that, while the NCAA holds the rights to the final four, once the contract to hold it in Indianapolis was signed, the city of Indianapolis can sue for breach of contract if it is not held there.

[Major Hogwash]

37. Oh, that's easy.

I'd stack them all on a head of a pin.

The same way Pence thinks his law protecting people who believe that angels can be stacked that way have the right to discriminate against gays!!

Boo-yah!

[7962]

62. It isnt going anywhere. Theres only 4 days & a lot of logistics.

[Major Hogwash]

64. They moved 2½ million people out of New Orleans in under 24 hours!!!

If the NCAA wanted to move this tournament event, it could be done.

[Cha]

8. That would really get through to the religious haters.. money and sports!

Mahalo Mary~

[marym625]

9. Mahalo, Cha!

I really hope that they do it.

So great to see you here

[Cha]

11. Thank you, Mary.. I hope so, too!

Great to be here

[marym625]

13. There are chips and dip in the back

Help yourself

[Cha]

15. Gracias!

to Love overpowering the hate~

[marym625]

17. I will drink to that!

[salin]

12. Describing future events - not late this week.

I think events unfolded too fast and too late to rearrange arenas and hotels for this weekend.

B/c the NCAA has headquarters in Indy - and there is a long tradition of bball tourneys in Indy (final fours/big ten tournaments) for both men's and women's basketball tourneys - this threat (while not immediate) is big per tourist dollars.

[marym625]

14. Maybe that is why the mayor came out so strongly

So quickly

You're probably right but it sounds like he might do it now. Logistically, for the attendees, it might be a nightmare. But I assume that the University of Kentucky is pretty close.

We'll know soon enough

[Motown_Johnny]

16. I think they are talking next year...

since the women's finals are scheduled to be held there.

No way to change this year's. It is far to late for that. Protests on national TV would be better anyways. It may discourage some of the other states thinking about doing this kind of crap.

[marym625]

18. You're probably right

But I still hope they do it for this year

[DesertRat]

19. Yes, the article references 2016 and 2021

It's much too late to move it now.

[marym625]

24. Yeah, but wouldn't it be nice

To screw pence that quickly and do it this year? Louisville is just a hour or so away

[DesertRat]

49. Yes, it would! nt

[davidpdx]

21. I agree, given the bill signing took place so close to the beginning of the final four

There is not much that can be done for that. What can be done is to lobby organizations not to hold events there. That includes the NCAA, NFL, MLB, NBA, etc. and to cancel all future events as permitted by time. Any future events could be rescheduled or canceled if a big enough boycott started.

Here's a small (I believe incomplete list) if some of the events:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_attractions_and_events_in_Indianapolis

Maybe someone can run with it and put together a more complete list.

[marym625]

25. I think I will have to go to Indianapolis

For the women's final.

I still think it would kick ass if he moved it now

[former9thward]

20. It is not being moved.

Read the article.

[marym625]

22. I read the article

I don't post anything I haven't read through. No where does it say it won't happen. Or will.

But thanks for your advice

[former9thward]

23. Fine, if you think the final 4 will be moved before next Saturday

you are welcome to that alternative universe. I will stay in mine.

[marym625]

26. Mine include an unrealistic hope

But at least it's pleasant

[villager]

27. You seem to be handling the unwarranted grouchiness and snappiness in this thread quite well, Marym

I applaud your equanimity!

[marym625]

28. Why thank you!

That was very sweet.

[Major Hogwash]

33. I had to look up what equanimity means.

And I agree.

<-- to you

[marym625]

35. Thank you!

So sweet! Truly appreciate it.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

45. .

[marym625]

46. Thank you

I'm very grateful for the positive responses.

[Major Hogwash]

30. They have until Wednesday to decide.

By Thursday, it will be too late.
Just heard this on the radio, on a sports talk station, they were talking about it tonight.

[marym625]

32. Thank you

It would be unprecedented and the most awesome move ever!

[Downwinder]

38. Wonder if protesters are already gathering.

That would help the NCAA make their mind up.

[davidpdx]

39. I think 1,000 protesters could show up, drop trow and take a dump in front of the arena

and nothing would be done. Moving it at this late a date is not feasible. Protesting will help start to put pressure, but some organizing needs to be done to find what events in the future are planned and get those moved as soon as possible. Those are the two things in my opinion that should be the focus.

[marym625]

42. They are

Huge groups gathering.

[cwydro]

59. I think protests during the Final Four

might be even better than moving it.

The MSM will be all over it.

[SoCalDem]

40. It does not take long to get from Indy to Chicago

[marym625]

43. nope

And if it doesn't move, it won't take long to go from Chicago to Indianapolis to protest!

[get the red out]

41. If they have laid the floor

It is too late. This is just an unfortunate coincidence. But when the state sees the money made on this event, the possibility of not having a piece of that in the future will have an impact. One of the teams is only three hours away and has a large, traveling fan base, extra $$. (Full disclosure, Go Wildcats!).

[marym625]

44. I wonder if that is why they're saying Wednesday

Would explain that time limit.

Wouldn't it be awesome if airlines would take people with tickets to Indianapolis, to wherever they might move it?

Yeah, I was thinking Kentucky. Works for me!

[Travis_0004]

51. I dont think its possible to move it

People have travelled to town and rented hotel rooms. People would be pissed it it was moved with such little notice.

[marym625]

54. I'm sure they would

But, if they made it worthwhile. ...

I know it won't happen. I'm still hoping anyway

[shedevil69taz]

47. It won't be moved until next year...

It's too late at this point for them to move it this year.

[marym625]

48. You're probably right

It would be a logistical nightmare. Still, I hold out hope. Would be the absolute best message possible to Pence.

[jtuck004]

50. The people making donations to the Indiana Klan, I mean buying tickets to the game, are the one's

responsible for keeping it there.

Too cowardly, too comfortable, too bigoted.

If they said fighting bigotry was more important than their fat asses being inconvenienced over a basketball game, that thing would vanish from there faster than water disappears from David Copperfield's penthouse apartment.

[marym625]

55. lol

David Copperfield penthouse apartment



True. Very true

[cascadiance]

52. The Big Ten has two teams in the final four. Big Ten could announce moving its tournament...

... to be permanently in Chicago and moving Indianapolis out of its rotation of sites in subsequent years as sites for future Big Ten Tournaments. This would be especially a strong message if Michigan State and Wisconsin were both in the finals. Perhaps this also might get more seating added to the United Center there so that in the future if this were to happen, it would be easier to move attendees to Chicago as an alternate location.

The only time I went to a final four was in Indianapolis when there were two Big Ten teams in the final four (Iowa and Purdue). Would have supported that move then (as it would have made a shorter trip to go there. )

[marym625]

57. Then that's what they should do!

I have never been to a sporting event at the United Center. Just concerts. I know there's room to make it bigger.

I'm game for that!

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

53. What will be interesting is to see if any teams make a statement here

Armbands, tshirts, some sort of symbolic gesture, because that's when people start to take notice.

[marym625]

58. I hope so

Especially considering they're college teams. No kid should have to worry about being discriminated against. Not for any reason

[cwydro]

56. Not gonna happen. nt

[Dan]

60. As a parent

if I had a son or daughter that was scheduled to play in an event - in a State where such a law as this had been passed and where there was an awareness of the possible negative outcomes - I would ask my son/daughter to not participate.

The body responsible for the Final Four cannot be sued - if the individual players refused to participate.

[marym625]

65. That would be wonderful!

If the athletes refused to play. But I understand how difficult that would be. These kids have worked hard and this could lead to a future dreamed about their entire lives

[7962]

61. Its NOT going to be moved. ZERO % chance. Theres no time.

If this was 10 moths ago, it might be different. Regardless of Indiana, a whole lot of people with nothing to do with the state would be out a whole lot of money and there's no way to move everything in 4 days.

[marym625]

66. It's still being called for, a move

I know you're right, especially as time passes. But I still think it would rock

[7962]

68. I think its an opportunity for a few to get publicity, knowing they'd never do ANYTHING

but it makes them look like they're involved and "care"

[marym625]

69. No doubt

But I also believe that most people calling for this law to be repealed are sincere

[cascadiance]

63. Wisconsin and MSU fans should have t-shirts saying that 2016 Big Ten tourney should be moved...

... from Indianapolis to Chicago. Perhaps even more revenue could be lost by Indiana there, since in the past, the Big Ten Tourney has had more frequent tourney presences in Indianapolis than the NCAA has had.

If enough fans get these t-shirts worn there, that could be a strong message that the Big Ten Conference isn't going to put up with this crap, even if two of its members are Indiana schools.

[marym625]

67. That would be great

The more attention drawn to the real reason for this law, to discriminate against women and the LGBT community, the better.