Department of Justice to investigate the legality of the BCS.
Flashback to the days of campaign promises ... the Monday before elections ... President Barack Obama promised to throw his weight around in support of a playoff. This was reiterated on 60 minutes, less than one month after his historic win.
He has refused to go so far as inviting undefeated teams left out of BCS to receive White House championship honors, even when one received championships from NCAA recognized selectors (Utah 2008).
Commander in Chief Obama is now aiming his most powerful legal weapon, The Department of Justice, at the BCS. This is in responded to Senator Hatch's (R-UT) request to open an investigation into the BCS.
“The Department of Justice is reviewing your letter as well as other materials to determine whether an open an investigation into the legality of the current system under the antitrust laws,” said the letter to Hatch. In addition, the letter said that the Obama Administration is “exploring other options that might be available to address concerns with the college football post-season.” Included among the options the Administration is considering are proposals to encourage the NCAA to “take control of the college football post-season,” asking a governmental or non-governmental entity or commission to “study the benefits, costs, and feasibility of a playoff system,” asking the Federal Trade Commission to “examine the legality of the current system under consumer protection laws,” exploring whether other agencies may play a role in enacting reforms, and legislative efforts aimed at fixing the BCS system.
This should add pressure for the best possible result to happen. That would be for the BCS to fix itself.
This definitely raises the bar far beyond the anti-trust laws of last year's senate hearing. This is a good day for those opposed to the BCS.
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Comments
Hopefully...
The BCS hires a Director of Research and Development to gain a PR boost and actually study the postseason and generate fresh ideas.
They have such a proposal in their possession :)
I think that inviting all conferences to the table starting this year could be a sign that talks of a playoff for 2014 may be beginning in earnest, seperate from any legal pressures. Legal pressures will just help keep them on task.
BCS Evolution -- Punctuating the Equilibrium - twitter
by utesfan100 on Jan 30, 2010 12:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Great news
I thought the anti-BCS movement in Washington was nearing it’s dead end.
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by Michael Rueckert on Jan 30, 2010 12:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs










