Business leaders fear the 'religious freedom' bill allowing firms to refuse to serve gay customers could have serious consequences for Arizona. Topping their concerns: the fate of the Super Bowl.

As Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) weighs whether or not to sign a bill allowing private business owners to refuse to serve gay and lesbian customers in the name of "religious freedom," opponents of the measure are urging the governor to think hard about the economic consequences to the state if it becomes law.

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Arizonas US Senators, John McCain and Jeff Flake, have both said they hope that Governor Brewer does not sign, and Apple Inc., which has announced plans to build a manufacturing plant in Mesa, Ariz., reportedly has urged the same.

Doug Parker, CEO of the new American Airlines Group, sent the governor a letter in which he discusses the states economic comeback and says, There is genuine concern throughout the business community that this bill, if signed into law, would jeopardize all that has been accomplished so far.

But the highest potential stakes involve the Super Bowl, which is scheduled to be played in Arizona in 2015. On Monday, the state Super Bowl Committee added its name to a letter urging the governor to veto the bill.

The big question is will the NFL take away the Super Bowl next year?, says Matthew Hale, a political scientist at Seton Hall University in South Orange Village, N.J. The NFL has a history of homophobia and bullying, and the first openly gay player is coming in the next draft. As a result, the pressure on the NFL to take away the big game" if the bill becomes law "will be tremendous.

If Arizona loses the Super Bowl because of antigay legislation, it would be "a true watershed moment in the fight for LBGT equality," he adds.

In urging a veto, many critics of the bill cite the negative economic fallout from SB 1070, the controversial immigration law that Arizona passed in 2010 authorizing police to stop people they felt looked like illegal immigrants. The so-called "show me your papers" law, much of which was struck down eventually by the US Supreme Court, generated headlines worldwide portraying the state as intolerant. Tourism income faltered, conventions were cancelled, and Arizona became the butt of late-night comics.

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Arizona's 'religious freedom' bill. How much would it cost the state? (+video)