The NCAA Monday reaffirmed its support for transgender athletes, saying championships should only be held in locations “free of discrimination.”
The statement could jeopardize any future NCAA championship that might be played in Idaho after the state adopted House Bill 500 last year.
The law bars transgender girls and women from playing on sports teams that align with their gender identity. It’s not currently in effect pending a court challenge, with oral arguments in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals scheduled for next month.
The NCAA allows transgender women to compete after taking hormone suppressants for a year.
Boise was set to host first and second round games for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament this year. But the pandemic forced the tournament to consolidate game locations, costing the city millions in estimated revenue.
The city has held the Big Sky Conference’s men’s and women’s basketball championships since 2019. Its contract is supposed to go through 2026.
An NCAA spokesperson said its board of governors “continues to monitor the situation” and hasn’t yet made a decision.
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