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NCAA gives N. Carolina a deadline to repeal HB2 or lose events until 2022

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- In its most direct statement yet, the NCAA on Thursday warned North Carolina to repeal House Bill 2 soon or lose championship events through 2022.

"As the state knows, next week our various sports committees will begin making championships site selections for 2018-2022," the NCAA said in a statement. "Once the sites are selected ... those decisions are final." The NCAA plans to announce sites April 18.

The statement came on HB2's first anniversary. It also came as lawmakers and the governor remain at an impasse over repeal, though legislative leaders said Thursday they're talking about changes in the law.

Last weekend Duke and the University of North Carolina played their first-round NCAA tournament games in Greenville, S.C., after the games were moved from Greensboro. NCAA officials moved events "because of the cumulative impact HB2 had on local communities' ability to assure a safe, healthy, discrimination-free atmosphere," the organization said Thursday.

"Absent any change in the law, our position remains the same regarding hosting current or future events in the state."

The NBA moved its 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte because of the law. The Atlantic Coast Conference also moved events out of state, including its football championship that had been scheduled for Charlotte.

In a statement Thursday, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper again called for repeal.

"I have offered numerous compromises and remain open to any deal that will bring jobs and sports back to North Carolina and begin to repair our reputation," he said. "Legislative Republicans have been all too happy to use their supermajorities to pass damaging partisan laws. It's time for them to step up, meet halfway, and repeal HB2."

Asked about the legislature's timeline for HB2 changes, House Speaker Tim Moore, a Republican, said the issue was the subject of lengthy GOP caucus meetings Wednesday and Thursday.

"We're taking whatever time is necessary," he said. "We're not going to move forward until a majority of the caucus is prepared to do something."