Super Bowl XLIX is meant to kick off in 339 days at the University Of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ. But, the state of Arizona risked foiling those plans when news of the controversial and conservative Senate Bill 1062 came to the attention of the NFL, which considered relocating the Super Bowl from the state for the second time in recent history.

Senate Bill 1062 was written by a conservative-advocacy group, Center for Arizona Policy and the Christian legal organization Alliance Defending Freedom. The potential law would have allowed businesses in the state to deny service to lesbians and gays, and allow individual businesses to use religious beliefs as a defense against lawsuits.

GOP-run Arizona legislature passed the bill; then it was placed before Republican Gov. Jan Brewer, who was given until Saturday to veto, ignore or sign the bill into a law. Yesterday evening, Brewer opted to veto the bill, which many believe puts her at risk of alienating conservative supports. Conversely, opting to sign the bill into law would have been detrimental to the local economy, alienated an entire community, and would have led to the transfer of the lucrative sporting event.

"On that matter we have heard loud and clear from our various stakeholders that adoption of this legislation would not only run contrary to that goal but deal a significant blow to the state's economic growth potential," The Arizona Super Bowl host committee said. "We do not support this legislation."

Arizona was assigned to host the Super Bowl in 1993, but the state's refusal to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day led to then-NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue to relocate the annual extravaganza, and the NFL holiday was moved to Pasadena. Arizona subsequently chose to recognize MLK Day, and the 1996 Super Bowl was played in Tempe's Sun Devil Stadium. Only 11 months until the next Super Bowl, history stood to repeat itself.

The controversial bill was conceived and proposed just as the NFL readies to open its arms to Michael Sam, Missouri linebacker and the first openly gay player, who came out earlier this month.

"The NFL is putting a lot of pressure on the governor (behind the scenes) to veto the bill, from what I can tell," Sam's public relations representative, Howard Bragman, told USA TODAY Sports. "I know the host committee has said, 'Veto it.' And I know the Arizona Cardinals have said, 'Veto it.' I know the NFL is very concerned and watching this very closely."

"Our policies emphasize tolerance and inclusiveness and prohibit discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or any other improper standard," league spokesman Greg Aiello said by email. "We are following the issue in Arizona and will continue to do so should the bill be signed into law, but will decline further comment at this time."

Many prominent leaders in the Arizona business community opposed the bill, and sent letters to Brewer urging her to veto. Business owners recognized that it might be a threat to business, heighten the risk of lawsuits or repel potential workers.

"The legislation is also already clearly having a negative effect on our tourism industry, one of the largest sectors of the economy," said the letter signed by presidents of several business groups, including the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Others saw the bill as a civil rights violation, not just a possible hit to the local economy. The passing of the unconstitutional bill would have demonstrated legal sexual-orientation discrimination.

Ethan Orr, Kate Brophy-McGee and Heather Carter, three Republican House members who voted against the bill, called it "unnecessary" and stated, "We need to be focused on what brings us together as a state." Sens. Jeff Flake and John McCain were also in opposition, and shared his opinion after the veto.

"I appreciate the decision made by Gov. Brewer to veto this legislation," McCain said in a statement. "I hope we can move on from this controversy and assure the American people that everyone is welcome to live, work and enjoy our beautiful state of Arizona."

The proposal echoed anti-gay sentiments present in Russia and Uganda; and most were unsure about where the coin was going to land with Brewer's decision. Veteran pollster Bruce Merrill called Brewer "an enigma."

Brewer's veto message addressed the SB 1062 and other pressing issues, and circuitously scolded the Legislature for not focusing on more important issues:

"Instead, this is the first policy bill to cross my desk," she said. "could divide Arizona in ways we cannot even imagine and no one would ever want. Religious liberty is a core American and Arizona value; so is non-discrimination. Going forward, let's turn the ugliness of the debate over Senate Bill 1062 into a renewed search for respect and understanding among all Arizonans and Americans."

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