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sports Diasabra 15 Januari 2022

Transgender athlete ban, backed by Noem, clears committee

(AP) — A South Dakota legis- publican-dominated state to adopt “This particular bill does nothing,
lative committee on Friday ap- such a ban on transgender women or does absolutely nothing as far as
proved a bill championed by Gov. girls. In two of those states — Idaho helping young people,” said Dianna
Kristi Noem to ban transgender and West Virginia — the laws have Miller, representing South Dakota’s
women and girls from participat- been halted by federal judges. The largest school districts. “What it is is
ing in school sports leagues that U.S. Department of Justice has chal- discriminatory, unfair, and it’s not
match their gender identity. lenged bans in other states, slamming necessary.”
them as violations of federal law.
With the Republican governor’s full- In an acknowledgment that schools
fledged lobbying, the bill received But lawmakers have used as am- were being put at legal risk, the gov-
enthusiastic approval in the Repub- munition the Pennsylvania case of a ernor’s office amended the bill to
lican-dominated Senate State Affairs 22-year-old transgender woman who stipulate that the state would provide
committee, clearing a legislative hur- has had a dominant year swimming legal representation and pay the costs
dle that has been a key roadblock to for the University of Pennsylvania, of any lawsuits. Mark Miller, the gov-
similar South Dakota bills in the past. as proof that trans athletes possess an ernor’s chief of staff, insisted that That’s led critics to decry the bill as
It was the first bill the committee unfair advantage over their competi- the proposed law complied with the nothing more than propaganda.
took up this year as lawmakers try to tion. Constitution, other states had suc-
fast-track it through the Statehouse. cessfully implemented the law and “This isn’t about an issue that’s really
“Allowing males to compete destroys the state would prevail in court if happening in South Dakota,” said
Every Republican on the committee fair competition and athletic oppor- sued. Roger Tellinghuisen, representing
approved the bill, despite warnings tunities for girls,” Rachel Oglesby, the Human Rights Campaign, an or-
from opponents that it alienates and the governor’s policy advisor, told Noem last year shied away from sign- ganization that advocates for LGBTQ
bullies transgender students and ex- the committee. “Similarly gifted and ing a similar bill, issuing a “style and people. “It’s a political statement —
poses public schools to legal action trained males will always have physi- form veto” and arguing that it was that’s all it is.”
for a political cause that has not been cal advantages over females.” flawed because it put the state at risk
an issue in South Dakota. Proponents of litigation and retribution from the Noem warming to the issue shows
say it protects girls’ sports from trans The high school activities association NCAA. the growing clout of social conser-
athletes who may be bigger, faster and asserted that it already has a policy vatives in the GOP and their ability
stronger than their peers. in place that ensures fair competi- But this year, she seized on the mo- to cajole politicians into supporting
tion. The schools evaluate applica- mentum of a cause taking hold legislation that discriminates against
“As a parent, I don’t really care if she tions from transgender athletes on a among Republicans and trumpeted LGBTQ people.
becomes an elite athlete, but I want case-by-case basis and have only once her support for “protecting fairness
her to have the experiences of being allowed a trans girl to play in a girl’s in women’s sports” as she tries to Jon Schweppe, the director of pol-
on a team,” said Jennifer Phalen of league. She did not spoil the competi- rehabilitate her standing with social icy at the social conservative group,
her transgender daughter who aspires tion, the athletics association has said. conservatives. American Principles Project, praised
to participate in school gymnastics. Noem’s bill after last year slamming
Groups representing public schools Noem launched a campaign ad this her for effectively killing the legisla-
“Passage of this bill would directly said politicians are forcing them to week that claimed she “never backed tion.
hurt children,” she told the com- choose between violating state law or down” on the issue. And if there was
mittee in an emotional testimony. “It federal policy. The Associated School any doubt that her political ambitions “To see her now coming out with a
would directly hurt my daughter and Boards warned that schools could lie beyond South Dakota — the state stronger bill, to see her championing
take away her freedom to participate lose federal funds if an investigation where she is running for reelection this issue and making it her priority,
in activities with her peers.” from the U.S. Department of Health and where the proposed law would we haven’t really seen anything like
and Human Services found them to take effect — the ad is running on that before with Republicans,” he
If the bill passes the Legislature, have violated students’ rights. channels nationwide. said. “I think it’s a significant mo-
South Dakota could be the 10th Re- ment.”

ACC commissioner says CFP expansion should be put on hold

(AP) - Atlantic Coast a College Football Playoff expansion should not be a sioners who make up the against expanding the format
Conference Commission- problem,” Phillips said Fri- priority. CFP management commit- eventually, just not now.
er Jim Phillips says now is day during a conference call tee, along with Notre Dame’s
not the time for College with reporters. “We have a Phillips also cited the con- athletic director, wrapped up There is no agreement in
Football Playoff expan- college football and collegiate tinuing need for federal three days of meetings last place beyond 2025.
sion, citing an abundance athletics-slash-NCAA prob- legislation regarding name, weekend before the national
of uncertainty through- lem.” image and likeness compen- title game in Indianapo- “Membership believes that
out college sports and the sation for athletes, the lin- lis with expansion talks still we have a responsibility in
NCAA. Phillips said with the NCAA gering ramifications of last stalled and hopes for imple- looking at the CFP and col-
about to embark on a trans- year’s Supreme Court ruling mentation of a new format by lege football from a holis-
“To the ACC, we don’t have formation of Division I, CFP that struck down the NCAA’s 2024 dimming. tic perspective and not just
limits on athletes’ education- whether to add more teams
al benefits, and the possibility A 12-team playoff proposal to the playoffs. There are
of athletes organizing. has been on the table since legitimate concerns about
June. student-athlete welfare, the
“The membership of the impact on academics and the
ACC is very much aligned Phillips said the ACC fa- length of the season,” Phillips
in its position that now is not vored expansion only to eight said.
the time to expand the Col- teams but by November had
lege Football Playoff,” Phil- determined there was too Phillips said before the CFP
lips said, taking the strongest much else going on in col- expands, a full review of how
public stance against early lege sports to rush to expand major college football oper-
expansion of any of the con- college football’s postseason. ates — from the recruiting
ference commissioners who calendar to transfer rules to
have been involved in the The 12-year agreement for how spring and preseason
process. the current playoff runs practices are scheduled and
though the 2025 season. run — should be done.
The 10 conference commis- Phillips said the ACC is not