Sports World Takes a Stand Against Confederate Battle Flag
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The South Carolina State Senate is expected to start work tomorrow on proposals to remove the Confederate battle flag from on top of the state capitol building. The debate over the flag has prompted outcry from many different places, including the world of sports. CNN/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED's Johnny Phelps now with more.</s>JOHNNY PHELPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Confederate flag has flown over South Carolina's state house since 1962. For some, it's a symbol of slavery and racism. For others, it signifies southern heritage and a way to honor those who died in the Civil War. In July, 1999, the NAACP called for a national tourism boycott of the state until the flag is taken down. And the organization has called upon the sports world to take a stand as well.</s>LONNIE RANDOLPH, NAACP: Black athletes have always been an extremely important part of the social agenda and the social fiber of America and the struggle that African-Americans have faced.</s>PHELPS: More and more sports figures have chosen to become involved. Clemson football coach Tommy Bowden, men's basketball coach Larry Shyatt, South Carolina basketball coach Eddie Fogler and football coach Lou Holtz all took place in a march calling for the flag to be removed.</s>MAURICE STANFIELD, SPORTS TALK RADIO HOST: You see that flag on the state house, and it's almost like a form of slavery. When you look at that flag you think: Oh, it is forgotten. It's not forgotten.</s>PHELPS: The New York Knicks, who have held their post-season training camp in Charleston, South Carolina since 1991, decided in February that they would go elsewhere until the flag comes down. The ACC asked its member schools to stay in North Carolina during its men's college basketball tournament in Charlotte to avoid spending money in South Carolina. And Serena Williams' father says she will likely boycott a tournament in Hilton Head, South Carolina later this month because of the flag issue.</s>GLENN MCCONNELL, SOUTH CAROLINA STATE SENATE: The athletes, obviously, are saying we don't want to come to the South Carolina now and play if all are going to fly the battle flag. Well, they, first of all, need to understood why we fly it. Second, they need to understand that there is no future in either side trying to perform a knockout on the other.</s>PHELPS: South Carolina has already lost an estimated $10-$20 million in hotel and convention business because of the NAACP boycott. Not everyone is interested in taking a side in the flag debate. In an article in "Sports Illustrated" last week, Tiger Woods said, "I'm a golfer, that's their deal, you know?" The president of the Darlington Raceway has said his track does intend to get involved, but plenty of others are voicing their opinions about the flag and South Carolina is feeling the effects.</s>TOM TURNIPSEED, ATTORNEY: I think the influence of athletics involved with these sanctions, and the boycott about the Confederate flag on our state house are critical here, and I think they are going to be a determining factor.</s>PHELPS: I'm Johnny Phelps.