Atlantic Coast Conference officials say they are encouraged by the filing of bipartisan legislation to change the state's so-called “bathroom bill” also known as HB2.
ACC Commissioner John Swofford says returning to the way things were prior to HB2 could prompt negotiations to bring back games that were moved from North Carolina.
The law limits protections for LGBT people and also made changes to the state's labor laws.
A bill filed Wednesday modifies HB2. But its call to subject local non-discrimination proposals to go before voters via referendum has become a stumbling block.
Gov. Roy Cooper offered a compromise over the weekend, saying he'd support the alternative of requiring a larger majority from councils to pass such measures.
State Republicans blasted the idea, saying Cooper does not have the desire nor the ability to strike a deal on the controversial law.
There's a growing sense of urgency in the legislature to do something about HB2. There's concern that if no action is taken the NCAA could remove local bids to host events through 2022.
The ACC pulled its football championship game and several neutral-site events from the state last fall. That came shortly after the NCAA pulled opening weekend men's basketball tournament games and other championship events from the state. The NBA also moved this year's All-Star Game from Charlotte to New Orleans.