In her first book series, Quidditch was a fictional game played by wizards using flying broomsticks.
Real-life contact sports are fast-paced and played by over 450 teams from more than 30 countries.
A spokesperson for the author stated that these Quidditch leagues were not endorsed by Rowling.
The Times first reported that US Quidditch and Major League Quidditch made a joint statement, saying they would now choose new names for the game.
According to the newspaper, USQ could also offer alternative options such as Quickball, Quicker and Quidstrike.
‘Progressive sport’
USQ and MLQ jointly stated that they hoped that the name change would allow them to “continue separating themselves from JK Rowling’s works”, which they claim “has increasingly been under scrutiny for her antitrans positions in the recent years.”
The statement said that “our sport has earned a reputation for being one of the most progressive in the world in gender equality and inclusion, in part due to its gender maximum rule which stipulates that no more than four players of the exact same gender may be on the field at the same time.”
The equivalent British body QuidditchUK has supported their position, which is the national governing body of the sport.
BBC News was informed by a spokesperson from The Blair Partnership literary agent: “The Quidditch Premier League and US Quidditch were never licensed or endorsed by JK Rowling.”
Rowling previously expressed concerns about the impact of allowing transgender women into women-only spaces. However, Rowling denied any accusations of transphobia.
Was there a trans row?
Rowling caused controversy by posting tweets in June 2020 expressing concern about the phrase “people who have menstruated” – Rowling objected to the use of “women” being used.
Some also criticised the author for denying that there are male and female sexes.
“Sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. The lived reality of women worldwide is erased if sex doesn’t exist. She tweeted, “I love and know trans people. But erasing sex from our lives removes the possibility of many of them being able to meaningfully discuss their lives.”
She wrote in a long follow-up blog that her interest trans issues stemmed out of being a survivor and concerned about single-sex spaces.
She continues to speak out. Rowling shared last week a news story about an MP, who described as “absurdity”, the idea that police would record rapes perpetrated by male genitalia offenders as being committed “by a woman” if the attacker is “identified as a female”.
Rowling posted a message online from a follower on Sunday apologizing to the writer for calling her transphobic when she was actually “standing up for women”.
Rowling’s comments were lauded but criticized by others. Many high-profile individuals associated with Rowling have distanced themselves form her comments on trans issues.
Recently, it was announced that Rowling would not be appearing at the upcoming Harry Potter reunion.
Rowling stated last year that she was returning an award from the US Kennedy family after Kerry Kennedy claimed Rowling’s views “diminished” the identity of transgender people.
Among those who distanced themselves from Rowling were Harry Potter stars Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe. Many Quidditch organizations are following Rowling’s lead.
Matt Bateman is the president of QuidditchUK and stated to The Times that “we cannot continue to call ourself Quidditch and be affiliated with JK Rowling while continuing to make damaging, hateful comments about the many transgender athletes and staff who call this community home.”
What is Quidditch?
Rowling invented Quidditch for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Matches take place on an oval-shaped pitch with three goals in a ring shape. The seven-member teams consist of three chasers and two beaters, as well as the seeker, the keeper, the seeker, and the keeper.
The winner is the team that has the most points at the finish, unless the other side finds and captures the Golden Snitch. This gives them an unassailable 150 point win.
Harry Potter and his fellow wizards/witches enjoyed the game while flying on their broomsticks at Hogwarts school and other locations.
Real-life versions of the game are played with brooms between their legs.
Quidditch has been added to the list of team sports at many American schools like UC Berkeley. The University of Texas won the last year’s national tournament. College teams participate in it.
Since then, the sport has been played in more than 25 countries. There are multiple international tournaments including a World Cup.
The Quidditch Premier League in the UK is played between 10 teams. The North and South divisions are split.
