The NAACP and the Congressional Black Caucus are urging Black athletes and fans to boycott public university athletic programs in several Southern states over ongoing voting rights and redistricting battles.
The campaign, called “Out of Bounds,” targets public universities in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and South Carolina. Organizers say the effort is aimed at pressuring lawmakers in GOP-led states accused of restricting Black voting power while continuing to benefit from the success and revenue generated by Black student-athletes.
The boycott could have major implications for powerhouse football and basketball programs within the Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference, especially as recruiting season approaches. The signing window for college basketball opens in mid-November, while the early signing period for football begins in early December.
NAACP President Derrick Johnson spoke firmly about the organization’s stance during a recent press conference.
“We will fight with all we have in solidarity with the Congressional Black Caucus to ensure that we have representation, or if we don’t, we will withhold the talent that plays on the football field or on the basketball court, be they male or female,” Johnson told reporters.
The Congressional Black Caucus is also opposing the SCORE Act unless major athletic conferences publicly challenge redistricting efforts in Republican-led states. Meanwhile, Athletes.org CEO Brandon Copeland reportedly linked opposition to the legislation with broader concerns about political control and representation.
This is not the first time sports and politics have collided over voting rights. In 2021, Major League Baseball moved its All-Star Game from Georgia following backlash over the state’s voting law changes. The NAACP also encouraged student-athletes to reconsider attending Florida universities in 2024 over similar concerns.
As the debate intensifies, the growing intersection of sports, politics, and social justice continues to place college athletics at the center of national conversations.
