NAACP urges Black athletes to boycott college sports in the South

The NAACP is calling on Black athletes, alumni, fans and the general public to boycott the athletic programs of public universities in states that aim to redistrict longtime Black lawmakers.

If Black athletes participate in the boycott, it could deplete rosters for powerhouse football and basketball programs across the Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference.

The effort was launched Tuesday and it comes as civil rights activists aim to apply pressure to Republican-led state legislatures through mass protests and economic boycotts.

The Congressional Black Caucus has also said it will oppose a key piece of legislation backed by college athletic conferences unless conference leaders oppose the redistricting efforts.