As heads of organizations responsible for adolescent and adult sporting activities in the MSAs Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot and Jamestown, we oppose this move for two reasons. First, it’s completely unnecessary. The governing and sanctioning bodies of practically every sport in the world have dealt with this topic for decades, consulting experts and developing a differentiated policy based on their findings. This also includes the North Dakota High School Activities Association, whose policies are based on those of the NCAA.

Second, the attention of these groups is likely to still be caught, even if the final amended version does not specifically discourage most of the state’s youth sports groups from their more inclusive sanctioning bodies. If so, it could deter them from sponsoring or participating in tournaments in North Dakota and could have a material adverse effect on the business of the people who normally travel for those tournaments. In another unintended consequence, these developments would also reduce the extent and degree of competition that young North Dakota athletes would face.

CONNECTED



In our communities, hotel room revenues fell between 34% and 40% in 2020. The modest recovery we’ve seen since last summer is largely due to the return of youth sports. In the year leading up to the 2019 pandemic, only the CVBs from FMWF and GGF supported events that resulted in direct visitor spending of more than $ 17 million. USA Wrestling has brought a 10-day tournament to the Fargodome for over 25 years. The transgender policy of this group mirrors that of the International Olympic Committee very well. If only passing this measure resulted in the loss of this event, that direct spending figure would decrease by nearly $ 2 million. At Grand Forks, the departure of only Junior Grand Am Basketball would result in similar losses. Minot is currently preparing for the ACHA Women’s Division 1 national hockey tournament. Such an event could also be affected if the College Sanctions Bodies decide to oppose non-inclusive policies.

After a year in which the North Dakota travel, tourism and hospitality economy contracted by $ 1.2 billion, the last thing we need is a new and unnecessary law that will create new barriers to the attraction of sports tourism in our communities. Please join us in calling on your legislator to prevent this bill from becoming law.

Charley Johnson is President and CO of the Fargo Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau. Julie Rygg is the executive director of the Greater Grand Forks Convention and Visitors Bureau. Sephanie Schoenrock is the managing director of Visit Minot; and Searle Swedlund is the executive director of Discover Jamestown.