Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn has a message for the NCAA: Move the Women's Final Four to Tampa from Indianapolis next year.
On Thursday, Buckhorn sent a letter to NCAA President Mark Emmert asking him to relocate the 2016 Women's Final Four to Tampa from Indianapolis. In the letter, Buckhorn cited Indiana's controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act as the reason behind his request.
"Sports teach us dedication, fair play, and teamwork," he wrote. "It teaches us that we should judge others for their talents and who they are, instead of, where they come from, what they look like, or who they love."
"A championship host city should reflect that spirit of sport. Championship games held in the state of Indiana with the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in effect can no longer do so."
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which takes effect July 1, sparked national outrage and backlash against Indiana. Supporters of the law say it prevents government from infringing on people's religious beliefs, while critics say the law permits discrimination against gays and lesbians.
"Whether they were to choose to come here or not, I wanted the NCAA to know that they had options around the country," Buckhorn said. "It's unfair, it's wrong and I think as a country we're beyond that and we can't tolerate that."
The 2015 Women's Final Four is set to get underway in Tampa this weekend, and will be held here again in 2019.