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Letter to Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the National Football League - Move Super Bowl Out of Arizona if Discriminatory Bill Becomes Law

Letter

Date: Feb. 26, 2014
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Arts, Entertainment, and History

February 26, 2014

Dear Commissioner Goodell:

I write to ask that the National Football League (NFL) commit to moving the Super Bowl out of Arizona should SB 1062 become law.

As you know, SB 1062 would enable businesses to refuse to serve people simply because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). This law is an affront to basic notions of dignity, fairness, and equality.

This law is also an affront to the inclusive values of the NFL. In a statement, the NFL recognized that its "policies emphasize tolerance and inclusiveness, and prohibit discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other improper standard."

Arizona is fortunate to be the host of the 2015 Super Bowl. The host committee for that event has called for the veto of SB 1062, recognizing that such legislation would be inconsistent with their values, those of the NFL, and with the economic development goals of the Super Bowl. I wholeheartedly agree that this bill should be vetoed.

Committing now to moving this national sporting event should SB 1062 be signed into law would be a strong incentive against doing so. And, it would send a powerful signal that important entities like the NFL are not going to stand by while discriminatory laws are enacted.

I urge you to quickly make clear that, if SB 1062 becomes law, the NFL will move the Super Bowl out of Arizona. Thank you in advance for your consideration and prompt attention to this request.

Sincerely,

Eric Swalwell

Member of Congress


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