The NAACP is calling on college athletes across the American South to use their influence in defense of voting rights, launching a new campaign that links the economic power of collegiate sports to the ongoing battle over congressional redistricting and Black political representation.
The initiative, known as “Out of Bounds,” was unveiled on May 19 and targets flagship public universities in eight Southern states where lawmakers have redrawn, or are considering redrawing, congressional district maps following a recent Supreme Court ruling that weakened key protections under the Voting Rights Act.
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According to the civil rights organization, the campaign focuses on major athletic programs at public universities in Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, Texas, and Georgia — institutions that collectively generate hundreds of millions of dollars in annual sports-related revenue.
The NAACP argues that recent redistricting efforts in several states have diluted Black voting power by reshaping congressional boundaries in ways that reduce the influence of predominantly Black communities.
Louisiana has become a focal point of the debate after state lawmakers approved a new congressional map that eliminated two majority-Black districts by dividing those communities and placing former district representatives Tony Carter and Castro Fields in the same district. Critics contend that the changes weaken Black political representation by placing those communities within larger districts dominated by white voters.
Supporters of the redistricting efforts, including Republican lawmakers, reject accusations of voter suppression, arguing that the changes are necessary to comply with legal requirements and recent court decisions governing electoral maps.
“This generation of Black athletes understands something that those who came before them were rarely allowed to say openly: their talent carries influence, and so does their community’s political power,” said Tylik McMillan, National Director of the NAACP Youth and College Division.
McMillan argued that the same political leaders who celebrate the achievements of Black student-athletes on the field often support policies that, in the NAACP’s view, undermine the voting strength of many of the communities those athletes represent.
NAACP President Derrick Johnson said the campaign was launched in response to what he described as a coordinated effort to diminish Black political representation following the Supreme Court’s decision.
“These actions happened within days, and in some cases hours, of a ruling that provided a roadmap for lawmakers seeking to reduce Black representation,” Johnson said. “The same economic power that helped build these athletic programs can also be used to demand accountability.”
The campaign draws inspiration from previous examples of athlete activism in the South. In 2020, former Mississippi State University running back Kylin Hill publicly challenged Mississippi’s Confederate-era state flag, declaring he would no longer represent the state unless the flag was changed. His stance helped intensify public pressure that ultimately contributed to the adoption of Mississippi’s current magnolia-themed flag later that year.
As part of the “Out of Bounds” initiative, the NAACP is encouraging athletes, students, alumni, and supporters to engage in advocacy efforts and raise awareness about voting rights issues. The organization is also urging fans and donors to redirect spending on tickets, merchandise, and licensed apparel from targeted athletic programs toward Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and organizations working to advance civil rights and voter participation.
The campaign highlights the growing intersection between sports, political engagement, and social justice, reflecting a broader trend in which athletes are increasingly using their platforms to influence public debate on issues extending far beyond the playing field.
For the NAACP, the message is clear: the influence generated by college athletics can be leveraged not only to win championships, but also to protect democratic participation and ensure that historically marginalized communities retain a meaningful voice in the political process.
