Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick criticized the NCAA on Tuesday for its decision to pull seven of its championship events from the state of North Carolina.

The action came after North Carolina passed a law regulating the use of restrooms by transgender people. The bill also excluded gender identity and sexual orientation from statewide antidiscrimination protections.

"The NCAA is attempting to be politically correct," Patrick said in a statement in response to an inquiry. "This issue has nothing to do with discrimination. What about a woman's right to privacy and security in a ladies' bathroom, locker room or shower? What about male sexual predators -- the ones who use the internet to go after children -- who will use such policies as a means to enter a women's dressing room, as we have seen.

"This is an issue of common sense, common decency and security for women of all ages. The overwhelming majority of Americans understand this issue even if the NCAA doesn't."

In the interviews with reporters in April and May, Patrick has called for the Texas Legislature to possibly consider a bill similar to the one enacted in North Carolina when it returns in January 2017.

During an appearance on KERA-FM (90.1) in May, Patrick said any sort of backlash was "fear-mongering," citing Houston's experience with the men's Final Four and business after voting down an anti-discrimination measure.

But that was before the NCAA took a much harder line on such measures, especially regarding LGBT issues.

Texas is scheduled to host a number of high-profile NCAA events. The women's Final Four is set for April 2017 at American Airlines Center. San Antonio is scheduled to host the men's Final Four in 2018. The FCS national title game is locked into Frisco through 2020.

The biggest event that the NCAA is moving -- the NCAA men's basketball tournament first and second rounds in March -- is unlikely to come to Texas. NCAA vice president Dan Gavitt told ESPN that the site will probably remain in the East.

UT Dallas athletic director Bill Petitt said his school was pursuing a bid to host the Division III men's and women's soccer championships Dec. 2-3. Bids close Sept. 27 with a decision expected Oct. 7. UTD had hosted the men's first and second round two years ago.

Ryan Callison of the Frisco Convention and Visitors Bureau said the organization would consult with the Southland Conference and the Lone Star Conference before making a decision on any bid.

The Dallas Sport Commission indicated in an email that it is focused on the planning and presentation of the women's Final Four.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Twitter: @ChuckCarltonDMN