NAACP Calls for Boycott of University Athletic Programs
The NAACP is urging Black athletes and supporters to boycott athletic programs at public universities in states it claims are undermining voting rights.
This initiative, dubbed “Out of Bounds,” is concentrating on eight southern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Prominent athletic programs mentioned include those at Auburn, Ole Miss, Clemson, and LSU.
The push comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Calais, which civil rights advocates argue further diminishes protections under the Voting Rights Act and has prompted several southern states to rethink their congressional district maps.
The NAACP has encouraged incoming football and basketball players to consider alternatives to the targeted universities, particularly historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). It also urges current players to advocate for voting rights and explore options available through the transfer portal.
“Out of Bounds” also called on supporters to contribute to HBCU athletic programs and scholarship funds.
“Across the South, Black athletes have significantly contributed to some of the most lucrative college athletic programs in the country, generating substantial annual revenue,” the organization stated on its website. “Meanwhile, several Southern state governments attempt to dilute Black voter representation by creating new districts that contravene the Constitution.”
NAACP President Derrick Johnson criticized Southern states for transcending mere “policy clashes” and actively seeking to diminish Black political influence.
Tyrik McMillan, the NAACP’s national director for youth and collegiate affairs, urged Black athletes to leverage the “political power of their communities.” He emphasized that this generation of athletes realizes that their predecessors did not have the platform to voice their concerns. “Your talent is yours, and so is the political power of your community,” McMillan said in a statement.
