Atlanta sports events could be threatened by religious bill

FILE - In this Wednesday, March 2, 2016, file photo, construction continues on SunTrust Park, the future home of the Atlanta Braves baseball team, in Atlanta, Ga. A $1.4 billion retractable roof stadium under construction is a cutting-edge project that is supposed to keep big sports coming to Atlanta. Those plans could be threatened by a religious exemptions law that opponents say would clear the way for discrimination against gays, lesbians and transgender people. (Kelly J. Huff/The Marietta Daily Journal via AP, File) ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION OUT; MAGS OUT; NO SALES; MANDATORY CREDIT FILE - In this Wednesday, March 2, 2016, file photo, construction continues on SunTrust Park, the future home of the Atlanta Braves baseball team, in Atlanta, Ga. A $1.4 billion retractable roof stadium under construction is a cutting-edge project that is supposed to keep big sports coming to Atlanta. Those plans could be threatened by a religious exemptions law that opponents say would clear the way for discrimination against gays, lesbians and transgender people. (Kelly J. Huff/The Marietta Daily Journal via AP, File) ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION OUT; MAGS OUT; NO SALES; MANDATORY CREDIT

By Associated Press March 21, 2016 4 min read

ATLANTA (AP) – Towering cranes dot the city’s skyline, signaling the rise of a $1.4 billion retractable-roof stadium that is supposed to keep major sporting events streaming to Atlanta.

Those plans may be threatened by a religious exemptions bill that opponents claim would lead to discrimination against gays, lesbians and transgender people.

Already, there are concerns about Atlanta’s bid to host the Super Bowl at new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in either 2019 or 2020, prompting Falcons owner Arthur Blank to join a growing list of business leaders fighting the legislation.

The measure could also lead the NCAA to reconsider its decision to award the 2020 Final Four to Atlanta.

“We’ll continue to monitor current events, which include issues surrounding diversity, in all cities bidding on NCAA championships and events, as well as cities that have already been named as future host sites,” the NCAA said in a statement Monday.