CA travel ban could keep sports teams from 8 states

California’s attorney general recently banned some public colleges from travelling to four additional states due to their alleged anti-LGBT policies.

According to CBS Austin, Attorney General Xavier Becerra has added Texas, Alabama, South Dakota, and Kentucky to a list of states that government employees are barred from travelling to—a list that was started by former Attorney General Kamala Harris, who banned travel to Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

[RELATED: NCAA pulls championship games from NC over bathroom bill]

While SF Gate reports that the restrictions will in fact apply to the University of California and other state schools, Becerra’s office has yet to clarify whether or not the ban will apply to sports teams travelling on away games, though a Becerra representative told the publication that he is reviewing the matter.

“The state of California is not going to participate in discriminatory conduct by other states,” Becerra remarked when announcing the ban, noting that while a travel ban to Texas may present some economic difficulties, “the consequences are real” for LGBT Texans.

Fresno State is scheduled to face off against the University of Alabama during this fall’s football season. Matt Burkholder, the director of athletic communications for Fresno State, confirmed in an email to Campus Reform that the game will take place, noting that the bill  allows for exemptions, including on contracts entered into before Jan. 1, 2017.

"The contract with Alabama was signed in 2015 therefore that will allow us to make the trip to Tuscaloosa," said deputy athletics director Steve Robertello.

[RELATED: Coach K calls HB2 ‘embarrassing’ as LGBT students avoid NC]

Such a move, though, would not be uncommon, as the National Collegiate Athletic Association announced last September that it would cancel all post-season championship games scheduled for play in the state due to its controversial transgender bathroom law.

“Fairness is about more than the opportunity to participate in college sports, or even compete for championships,” NCAA President Mark Emmert remarked at the time. “We believe in providing a safe and respectful environment at our events and are committed to providing the best experience possible for college athletes, fans, and everyone taking part in our championships.”

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