Justice Dept.: Obama administration may take action on BCS
 

Justice Dept.: Obama administration may take action on BCS


WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration is considering several steps that would review the legality of the controversial Bowl Championship Series, the Justice Department said in a letter Friday to a senator who had asked for an antitrust review.

In the letter to Sen. Orrin Hatch, obtained by The Associated Press, Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich wrote that the Justice Department is reviewing Hatch's request and other materials to determine whether to open an investigation into whether the BCS violates antitrust laws.

"Importantly, and in addition, the administration also is exploring other options that might be available to address concerns with the college football postseason," Weich wrote, including asking the Federal Trade Commission to review the legality of the BCS under consumer protection laws.

Several lawmakers and many critics want the BCS to switch to a playoff system, rather than the ratings system it uses to determine the teams that play in the championship game.

"The administration shares your belief that the current lack of a college football national championship playoff with respect to the highest division of college football ... raises important questions affecting millions of fans, colleges and universities, players and other interested parties," Weich wrote.

Weich made note of the fact that President Barack Obama, before he was sworn in, had stated his preference for a playoff system. In 2008, Obama said he was going to "to throw my weight around a little bit" to nudge college football toward a playoff system, a point that Hatch stressed when he urged Obama last fall to ask the department to investigate the BCS.

Weich said that other options include encouraging the NCAA to take control of the college football postseason; asking a governmental or non-governmental commission to review the costs, benefits and feasibility of a playoff system; and legislative efforts aimed at prompting a switch to a playoff system.

Weich noted that several undefeated teams have not had a chance to play for the national championship, including TCU and Boise State this year and Utah last year.

"This seemingly discriminatory action with regard to revenues and access have raised questions regarding whether the BCS potentially runs afoul of the nation's antitrust laws," he wrote.

Hatch, a Utah Republican, was steamed that his home state team was deprived of getting a chance to play for the title last year.

"I'm encouraged by the administration's response," he said in a statement. "I continue to believe there are antitrust issues the administration should explore, but I'm heartened by its willingness to consider alternative approaches to confront the tremendous inequities in the BCS that favor one set of schools over others. The current system runs counter to basic fairness that every family tries to instill in their children from the day they are born."

Under the BCS, the champions of six conference have automatic bids to play in top-tier bowl games, while the other conferences don't. Those six conferences also receive more money than the other conferences, although the BCS announced this week that the ones that don't have automatic bids will receive a record $24 million from this year's bowl games.

Bill Hancock, executive director of the BCS, said that officials there would need more time to review the letter before commenting on it. He did say, "We're confident that the BCS structure complies with the laws of the country."

"The consensus of the schools is to go with the BCS," Hancock added. "We feel strongly the people in higher education are the people best equipped to manage college football."



Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz0e3gvbGBh
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I hate the current BCS system,but Hussein and Congress need to worry about lots of other thing before they try to fix college football.:shake:

Agreed. But perhaps some threats here and there can get the NCAA\BSC to fix it on their own.

This.

Absolutely.

Hey guys, think of it this way, the more they focus on things like the BCS, the less of our money they spend on trips to Copenhagen and raising taxes, etc. etc. There is a silver lining in it, I guess.

It's possible,but them even thinking about getting involved makes me sick.I mean whats next?:eek:
Guess they need to regulate the bickering on CP next!!!

America! **** Yeah!!!

Shit! Just think how much money it'll take Obama and Congress to fix the BCS.:mad:The travel and research alone will be insane.Oh thats right Obama can just print and spend $12 trillion more.:shake:

Give them time. It will happen. :D

Yeah like there aren't already enough lil "clicks" as it is.

go after ticket master first!!!
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So how soon before we can expect the Playoffs in place?

IDK but that would be nice.

Go after ticketmaster? They just approved a merger between ticketmaster and live nation, that's how much they care about consumers.

They'll find a way to **** it up.

Raising taxes should do it.:cuss:

i know, its disgusting
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Well, like most things illegal or possibly illegal they need to be dealt with. Also, hopefully people understand how government works, and understand that the president isn't spending anytime on this other than reading a briefing to field questions at press conferences. This will all be handled by committees and/or lawyers, and this is there job.

This should be interesting if they are breaking antitrust laws, though. In which case they need to be punished since they are possibly stealing money from universities that goes toward scholarships and the general scholarship funds, and that is ****ed up.

lol, dont give them any ideas. a lot of people wouldnt mind a small tax increase for ncaa playoffs, long overdue imo.

if they could do this and get the overtime rule in football fixed, thats a great "season"
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I would just hope that there was a way to fix it without government getting involved.I guess with damn near everything being a business now days,times have changed.

I want a play-off system too, but I want the government to stay the **** away.

Socialism, if you want sports fixed

U care about college football
about like I care for MLB

jebus could somw elected officail do one thing thatv really affects
me postively?

Look at this way: It might be the only thing he gets right.

:evil:

Disagree. Remember, this isnt Obama personally spending weeks on it and reviewing options. He may have some input, but this is primarily the Justice Department we are talking about here. The executive branch is a vast entity that is responsible for many things, including enforcing federal laws.

I'm not a legal expert so I dont know if the BCS violates antitrust laws, but if they do, then why should they be so damned special to be immune from inquiry by justice department attorneys?

This is the kind of project our government could probably handle.

As opposed to the lovely post-Clinton cluster**** they've created since 2000. Way to go US Govt!

I really don't like Obama.

But when state schools that receive government funding are continually gipped of the chance to compete for big-name bowl games because of a crooked system... it becomes a very big deal.

It's a very big deal because the taxpayer money of schools like Utah and Boise State are in play here, and they're not getting a fair chance to play in the bowls they deserve to play in.

Forget them having anything better to do. I want to see it happen!

Its pretty obvious how much we've gotten accomplished in the last few months, so perhaps something everyone can agree on is in order! :)