Barkley: Indiana should not host Final Four due to religious freedom law

Basketball analyst and Hall of Famer Charley Barkley became the latest name to speak out against Indiana's controversial religious freedom law on Friday.

The religious freedom bill, known as Senate Bill 101, was signed into law by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence on Thursday, allowing businesses to refuse service to customers on the basis of religious freedom. While the bill doesn't explicitly state it's aimed at gay and lesbian people, opponents worry the ultimate goal is to refuse service based on sexual orientation.

The bill has already concerned both the NCAA and the Big Ten, and Barkley believes Indiana should be barred from hosting major events because of its existence.

“Discrimination in any form is unacceptable to me," Barkley said in a statement released Friday.

"As long as anti-gay legislation exists in any state, I strongly believe big events such as the Final Four and Super Bowl should not be held in those states’ cities.”

Indiana is the host of this year's Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on April 4 and 6 and is scheduled to host the finale again in 2021.