Several months ago Senator Orrin Hatch sent a request to have the Department of justice (DOJ) “investigate” the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and allegations of an Anti-Trust violation. The DOJ recently responded with a four page letter, written by Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich partially stating, “The Department of Justice is reviewing your letter as well as other materials to determine whether to open an investigation into the legality of the current system under the antitrust laws…Importantly, and in addition, the administration also is exploring other options that might be available to address concerns with the college football post-season” including asking the Federal Trade Commission to review the legality of the BCS under consumer protection laws.
“I’m encouraged by the administration’s response,” Hatch 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.”
TheHill.com reports, “Weich noted legislation that passed a House subcommittee by voice that would ban the BCS from promoting a “national championship game” unless it came as the result of a single-elimination playoff. But House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), whose panel contains the subcommittee that passed the bill, said in December that the measure would likely not see a full committee vote. ”
Sports Illustrated reports, “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.”
During the October 25, 2009 episode of College Football Final, former coach turned TV analyst Lou Holtz said, “As a taxpayer, I have very low expectations. I don’t expect our Congress to read a 1,500 page stimulus bill before they spend $787 billion we don’t have. I don’t expect them to read the 2,500 pages in the health bill before we spend a trillion dollars. I don’t expect them to recognize how we went $1.4 trillion in debt in the last four months, but I expect them to read the 32 pages of the constitution, and I defy you to find somewhere in there where you should be worried about the BCS system.”
While I believe a playoff system, much like the one used by high schools and all other levels of collegiate athletics, would be a better method of determining a champion I do not want the federal government involved. Or any other government for that matter.