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NFL warns that ‘bathroom bill’ could cost Texas future Super Bowls

Aug 14, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; A gold-painted NFL logo on the field before the start of a preseason NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. The logo is part of the NFL's "On the Fifty" campaign, to promote Super Bowl 50 next February. The Jacksonville Jaguars won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

The state of Texas could follow North Carolina in creating a law that regulates use of bathrooms in a way that individuals wouldn’t be able to use facilities that align with their gender identity.

It was a major point of contention when the law passed in North Carolina last year, ultimately forcing the NBA to move its 2017 All-Star Game to Louisiana.

Now, as Texas prepares to potentially enact Senate Bill 6, the NFL itself is taking a surprisingly strong stance against this potential legislation.

“The NFL embraces inclusiveness,” league spokesman Brian McCarthy said Friday, via the Los Angeles Times. “We want all fans to feel welcomed at our events, and NFL policies prohibit discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other improper standard.”

The bill itself would force individuals to use restrooms that correspond with the sex on their birth certificate.

In addition to the NBA pulling its All-Star Game from North Carolina after a similar bill became law, the NCAA announced that it would move conference events, including championship games, from the state (more on that here).

Though, the NFL itself has usually remained more quiet as it relates to the biggest social issues of the day around the United States. Meanwhile, both the NBA and NCAA have not.

That changed on Friday.

“If a proposal that is discriminatory or inconsistent with our values were to become law there, that would certainly be a factor considered when thinking about awarding future events,” McCarthy continued.”

The NFL has already scheduled where its next four Super Bowls will be played, so this isn’t a short-term issue for the league in that regard.

Having just played Super Bowl LI in Houston, there’s a chance the NFL could potentially avoid Texas as a possible location for the draft and/or Pro Bowl.

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