NAACP Calls on Black Athletes & Fans to Withhold Support of Public Schools in States Attacking Black Voting Rights
Key Points:
- The NAACP has launched the "Out of Bounds" campaign, urging Black athletes, families, fans, alumni, and consumers to withhold athletic and financial support from public universities in eight states that have weakened Black voting representation following a Supreme Court ruling.
- The campaign targets flagship public athletic programs in Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, and Georgia, which generate over $100 million annually and continue recruiting Black athletes despite state actions undermining Black political power.
- Black recruits are encouraged to withhold commitments to these programs until fair congressional maps and meaningful Black representation are restored, while current college athletes are urged to use their platforms to advocate for voting rights and consider transferring.
- Fans, alumni, donors, and consumers are called to stop purchasing tickets, merchandise, and apparel from targeted programs and instead support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through athletics, scholarships, and alumni foundations.
- The campaign will persist until the targeted states enact voting rights protections, repeal discriminatory maps, restore equitable districts, and commit to transparent, community-focused redistricting, with the core message: No Representation. No Recruitment. No Revenue.