In Arizona, the abbreviations S.B. stands for two completely different things.
Arizona's Senate Bill 1062 gives business owners the right to deny service to gay, lesbian and transgender customers due to the owner's religious beliefs. It's already been passed by Arizona's House and Senate and is on Gov. Jan Brewer's desk awaiting her approval or veto. (Via ABC)
And that isn't sitting well with the National Football League.
Glendale, Ariz., home of the Arizona Cardinals, is supposed to host Super Bowl XLIX in 2015. (Via YouTube / AZ SuperBowl)
"Hosting the Super Bowl is a huge deal for any town. Next year's game is expected to bring in 90,000 tourists with a half-a-billion dollar economic impact." (Via KNXV)
But that might not happen. The NFL released a statement reading: "Our policies emphasize tolerance and inclusiveness and prohibit discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or any other improper standard. We are following the issue in Arizona and will continue to do so should the bill be signed into law, but will decline further comment at this time."
The Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, which acts as a liaison between the league and the city, was a little more direct, saying, "We do not support this legislation."
Earlier this month, the NFL came out in support of openly gay NFL prospect Michael Sam, who announced his sexual orientation to the nation in multiple media interviews. (Via ESPN)
Deadspin notes in 49 years, just once has a Super Bowl been pulled from a host city. That was in 1993 and also involved Arizona, when voters there decided not to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a holiday.
Gov. Brewer has until Saturday morning to make a decision on the bill.
NBC reports she is likely to veto it, with a decision expected Thursday or Friday.
