Who'da thunk it? The BCS is a federal crime

by Truzenzuzex on Apr 18, 2008 6:11 PM EDT in Football Comment 11 comments

I saw this today and just laughed out loud, then cried. It seems that some in Congress have decided that it would be a good idea to legislate a playoff system for college football. I kid you not. Some representatives from Hawaii, Georgia and Idaho were all unhappy with how the whole BCS thing turned out last year, particularly for their favorite team. So, being the good public servants that they are, they have together decided to introduce a bipartisan resolution that says the BCS violates federal antitrust law, and require a Justice Department investigation of the BCS. I know, I know ... it sounds insane, but I swear, it's true. Here is the summary from the article above:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Forget government corruption or corporate fraud. Three members of Congress want the Justice Department to investigate whether college football's Bowl Championship Series is an illegal enterprise.

Reps. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, Lynn Westmoreland, R-Ga., and Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, are introducing a resolution rejecting the oft-criticized bowl system as an illegal restriction on trade because only the largest universities compete in most of the major bowl games. The resolution would require Justice's antitrust division to investigate whether the system violates federal law.

The measure also would put Congress on record as supporting a college football playoff.

This is a classic example of why I forbid political discussion on this blog -- politics and sports are like oil and water -- they don't mix. Look, I am as opposed to the current system as the next guy. I would love to see a limited playoff instituted at maybe 8 teams. But the idea of spending federal resources to investigate a college sports setup is so incredibly absurd, in my opinion, I have no choice but to laugh in complete amazement at these supposedly responsible people, then cry at the bad judgment we had to put such idiots in our national legislature. I think you could put monkeys or hippopotami in place of these guys and the place might actually function better.

Dear Right Honorable Mr. and/or Mrs./Ms. Congressperson -- leave college sports the heck alone! Go investigate some professional baseball boob or agent who lied about shooting up 'roids, or laundered money, or some NBA official for gambling. College football's post season may be a mess, but we don't need Congress turning it into a farce. Fan pressure will eventually get it fixed. Just keep your musty mitts off our pastime! It's bad enough that we have reactionary fans carping all over the Internet -- we don't need the feds crawling all over our schools trying to make sure every action in college sports is a pean to perfect egalitarianism.

Where will this all end? Next thing you know, we are going to have a Congressionally-mandated trophy for every team who participates in the NCAA tournament, just so the losers don't feel bad. Please. Stop. Now!

Update [2008-4-20 23:17:50 by Truzenzuzex]: Our friend T. Kyle King over at Dawg Sports has a similar, but considerably more detailed and interesting view, particularly considering that one of the legislators in question is from Georgia. Recommended.

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I don't know..

I think a legitimate argument could be made that the BCS controls millions of dollars of interstate. That puts them firmly in the realm of control of Congress. Are there more pressing things they should attend to? Yes, but I can't honestly say I feel bad about this move. The BCS has consolidated too much power.

by sylvar on Apr 18, 2008 6:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Add to the NCAA trophies -

an NCAA field expanded to 330+. Just to be safe.

by Hooper on Apr 18, 2008 7:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and the whole thing

is a PR move. By doing this, these guys hope to look good for their constituency. By investigating stuff that appears to have a decisive majority backing and no practical downside, they can look all compassionate and investigative and out-for-the-people without having to take a real stand on a real issue.

It'd be interesting to see if all of the backers of this are up for election this year, too.

(BTW, I agree with the political kaibosh, and this is the closest I'll get. Note that my comments have not political leaning toward or away from any party, ideology, or real political issue. kthkbai.)

by Hooper on Apr 18, 2008 7:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Amazing

First off, the whole things screams of being a political stunt for votes - I agree hooper.
Secondly, if there is an eight team playoff actually legislated, how does this help the non-BCS conference schools anyways? I am assuming the eight teams would be the champions of the 6 BCS conferences, the best BCS team that didn't win their conference and Notre Dame (as long as they finish above .500). This is just a HUGE waste of gov't time and money.

by cdnWildcatfan on Apr 18, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Can anyone say election year?

Nixon would fix this if he were still alive!

Still not a crook!

by TrickyD26 on Apr 18, 2008 8:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Playoffs

Congress legislating NCAA playoffs? Well, first off the NCAA should have had a football playoff forty years ago. There's no excuse for the way a "national champion" is chosen. Having said that, the schools that are members of NCAA should decide to do this on their own so that the BCS will actually mean more than Bull and Cow S***.MONEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO CHOOSE THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL CHAMPION! The Washington crowd should stay out of it.

by atticusfinch on Apr 18, 2008 10:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

hmmm

well personally I am glad that someone is investigating this. If the BCS system is the reason(meaning the money) that college football isn't having a playoff system then I am all for it. Personally I am sick and tired of these millionaires using their finacial objectives and influencing the college game. This would be different if congress was investigating lets say March Madness. But congress needs to watch out for the best interest of college athletes.

by tenken on Apr 18, 2008 11:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No Wash in Sports

or any other form of entertainment. These same three were talking about this just after the NC game was set.

Why is it worth tax bucks and time to see if the Pats cheated or the Rocket shot up the juice?

Did they investigate Mili Vanili (sp?) 'cause they cheated too and were making millions from every state and across state lines???

Yes sports are important to many and me too but PLEASE! At the root, it is entertainment. Colleges utilize tax money to operate but that does not say they have to have a shot at an NC. THat is for the fans' entertainment.

Oh, before I get jumped here, I know all of the detailed reasons things go to the Senate so no need to inform me. I just don't agree. There is far more REAL work to be done inside the beltway.

For the record, YES A PLAY OFF. How easy is it to see that but Tru you hit it, it is a matter of the NCAA either way.

by wilson452 on Apr 19, 2008 12:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

if

Myles Brand had the gumption to stand up to these millionaires then that would be different. But he doesn't

by tenken on Apr 19, 2008 12:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

8 teams?

I have the perfect system,for, and to be fair,lets choose 1 Big 12,1 Pac 10,1 Big 10,Notre Dame,and 4 SEC ;)

by -Zoso- on Apr 19, 2008 7:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The BCS isn't the

only organization that should be investigated. The NCAA is the one that should be investigated. Of course, the NCAA is eerily similar to our national government so instead of reform the national government might get ideas and we'd REALLY be screwed. :)

It IS a PR move. I can smell them a mile away and my nose smells something stinky.

by bluecrip on Apr 19, 2008 5:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs