Story perspectives

NAACP Urges Boycott of 13 Southern Athletics, Shifts to HBCUs

5/20/2026

Summary

NAACP Launches Boycott

The NAACP launched the “Out of Bounds” campaign on May 19, 2026, urging a boycott of university athletic programs.
It targets 13 flagship programs in eight Southern states—including Alabama, Florida, LSU, Mississippi, South Carolina, Clemson, Tennessee, Texas and Texas A&M—whose revenue exceeds $100 million annually from Black athletes.
The NAACP asks Black recruits to withhold commitments, athletes to use their platforms or transfer, and donors to shift support to historically Black colleges and universities.

Summary

Congressional Black Caucus Opposes

Congressional Black Caucus will oppose the SCORE Act unless the SEC, ACC and NCAA also condemn GOP redistricting, causing the bill to be pulled from the House schedule.
Athletes.org CEO Brandon Copeland called the SCORE Act a control mechanism that suppresses athletes’ voices and votes and pledged to stand with athletes.
Recruiting windows for football and basketball stay closed through 2027, with basketball’s early signing opening mid-November and football’s 72-hour window in early December.

Summary

NAACP Boycott Campaign

The NAACP launched an athlete-boycott campaign with the slogan “No Representation. No Recruitment. No Revenue.”
Earlier NAACP drives urged athletes to avoid Texas in 2021 over voting policies and Florida public colleges in 2024 after a DEI department shutdown.
The release shows “May 19, 2026” at the top but “May 19, 2027” in the body.

History

Historical Context

On March 19 1966 Texas Western (now UTEP) defeated all-white Kentucky 72-65, becoming the first NCAA champion to start five Black players. The upset accelerated desegregation, prompting the SEC to add its first Black basketball player in 1967. The 2026 NAACP boycott of SEC and ACC schools invokes that 1966 breakthrough to demand equitable revenue sharing.

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NAACP Launches Boycott

The NAACP launched the “Out of Bounds” campaign on May 19, 2026, urging a boycott of university athletic programs.
It targets 13 flagship programs in eight Southern states—including Alabama, Florida, LSU, Mississippi, South Carolina, Clemson, Tennessee, Texas and Texas A&M—whose revenue exceeds $100 million annually from Black athletes.
The NAACP asks Black recruits to withhold commitments, athletes to use their platforms or transfer, and donors to shift support to historically Black colleges and universities.

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