Senate to begin BCS hearings
As the Senate is about to launch a hearing Tuesday into whether the Bowl Championship Series violates antitrust laws, Sen. Orrin Hatch said BCS officials are so arrogant they will likely refuse any change no matter what the hearings may show.
So he says antitrust probes by the Justice Department or private lawsuits might be the next steps coming to bring more fairness to the system of crowning a national college football champion.
"They're pretty arrogant, the ones who are running the BCS," Hatch told the Deseret News. "I think they're going to proceed regardless of what the hearings prove" to try to sign TV contracts over the next few days that could extend the current system for another four years.
"All the Division 1 conferences have been told that they have to sign the contract. But as I've said before, there are legitimate antitrust issues involved here. I hope that in the very least, the hearing will shed some light on these legal matters," Hatch said.
"After the hearing, there are a few scenarios that could take place. First, I expect we will get a clearer picture of the BCS problem, and as a result I think there's a decent chance the Justice Department will look into the system. In addition, we may very well see private litigation at some point down the line."
Hatch said informal discussions with Justice led him to believe a probe there could be possible, and investigations by such people as Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff into the BCS show that lawsuits by states or others are possible.
The Judiciary subcommittee hearing, which begins Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. MDT and will be webcast at judiciary.senate.gov, will feature University of Utah President Michael Young, University of Nebraska Chancellor Harvey Perlman (a member of the committee overseeing the BCS), and antitrust lawyers.
Hatch said it takes courage by Young to testify because many non-BCS conference schools are afraid they might be treated even more unfairly if they criticize the BCS. Utah was the nation's only undefeated Bowl Division team last year at the end of the season, but was excluded from the championship game.
"I think it's courageous of President Young to be willing to testify tomorrow. He's a gutsy guy and I suspect his testimony is going to show how unfair this system is," he said. "He's a very fair-minded, good person and can see why the 'ins' continue to be the elite and act like the elite."
Recent comments
This BCS hearing is for the future of all non-BCS teams. I am a BYU...
Clueless... | July 7, 2009 at 3:54 p.m.
This is about giving money to all universities that have competative...
Willie | July 7, 2009 at 11:29 a.m.
I am really getting tired of people who say "doesn't congress have...
BCS = Big Tobacco | July 7, 2009 at 10:49 a.m.
- Softball complex renamed for Miller 8:34 p.m.
- News briefs 8:31 p.m.
- Salt Lake Co. joins jail-funding plan 8:27 p.m.
- Ban on teens driving with cell phones? 8:23 p.m.
- Business-conditions up in January 8:20 p.m.
- Toyota's damage control 8:19 p.m.
- Google gets social in face-off 8:17 p.m.
- Real estate market unclear in 2010 8:17 p.m.
- Japan Airlines spurns Delta offer 8:16 p.m.
- Addys ceremony Feb. 25 at the U. 8:16 p.m.
- High school players commit to BYU
- Utah Jazz Ironmen
- LDS veggie program helps Bolivians
- Teacher merit pay debated
- SLC's City Creek moves ahead
- Utahn's 'Caveman Diet' catching on
- MWC race shaping 'Survivor' style
- 15-month-old Rachel Toone dies
- Kaman, not Boozer, on All-Star team
- Cougars hope for fast rebound
- Teacher merit pay debated
187 - UNLV bombs BYU into loss
185 - Why do they hate us? Try asking
155 - Countering attacks on LDS scholarship
155 - Letters: Tea Party hypocrites
119 - Rally in opposition to benefit cuts
90 - White House mocks Sarah Palin
87 - High school players commit to BYU
83 - Utah football alters schedule
80 - Let's talk college hoops
78
Visit the Deseret News Facebook page for this sweet Valentine! Ends Friday
So, after smarting off about someone not being able to read and not paying...
I am surprised, I thought it was already illegal to talk on the cell and...
my music teacher says that music uses all of your brain cells not just the...
ha ha ha too true. sad isnt it?
Mr. Harmon, thanks for the positive spin towards Collie and what he has...
Re:Anonymous "I think this legislation could be a very good thing to bring...
Is this really news? Maybe this might have ben news in '81 when the...
Giving you a prayer of sympathy and condolence.. So sorry to hear the death...
@Jeff | 7:44 p.m, My comment was directly specifically at BOM scholars,...
stick with b ball jd- millard owns the matt's and you guys own the court....

