Tennessee's anti-LGBT law won't affect UCLA's tournament status

If there was any worry about UCLA skipping this year's NCAA tournament over a new state law, fans need not fret.

On Jan. 1, California's attorney general passed a bill preventing public universities and colleges from traveling to and participating in athletic events in Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee, due to anti-LGBT legislation within those states.

UCLA's basketball program is poised to make another tournament run, but with the South Regional being hosted in Memphis, there was concern the team would be restricted from playing there due to Tennessee's Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

However, UCLA's senior athletic director of communications, Josh Rupprecht, said that if the Bruins are placed in the South Region come March, the team will be permitted to play.

"Should the NCAA assign (UCLA) to a tournament bracket in a state affected by AB 1887, barring unforeseen circumstances, we will not deny our student-athletes the right to participate in postseason play," Rupprecht told theScore.

Under the California law, there are exceptions that would allow a school like UCLA to play in Tennessee, as any travel that's paid for not using state money is permitted. The UCLA Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is a self-funded entity, and doesn't receive state funding.

Still, the school will honor the spirit of the law when it comes to scheduling their own games.

"Moving forward, the athletic department will not schedule future games in states that fail to meet the standards established by the new law," Rupprecht said, adding that any contracts signed prior to Jan. 1, 2017, will be seen through. "UCLA and UCLA Athletics are fully committed to promoting and protecting equity, diversity and inclusion."

Cal will also be allowed to participate in the NCAA tournament if it's placed in the South Region.

"Barring any unanticipated circumstances, our intent is to support our student-athletes in their right to participate in NCAA postseason competition should they be assigned to a restricted state as designated by the Attorney General under AB 1887," Cal assistant AD of communications Herb Benenson told theScore.

This comes after Cal had to end discussions with Kansas over a potential home-and-home series due to Kansas' Religious Freedom Act.

When reached for a response, the NCAA had no comment.