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.
- Cardinals rally for 31-20 win 6:31 p.m.
- Layton home has $100K in damages 6:24 p.m.
- TCU stuck at fourth in BCS 6:21 p.m.
- It was past time for Dobbs to go 6:11 p.m.
- Web surfers spill their guts on Net 6:11 p.m.
- Lessons from tempting the universe 6:11 p.m.
- Fight over smoking hurts family 6:11 p.m.
- Lack of languages limiting 6:11 p.m.
- Garden tips and events 6:11 p.m.
- Christmas trees need care 6:11 p.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
361 - BYU happy to escape with victory
226 - TCU creams U.
218 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
201 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
133 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - RSL heads to MLS title game
119 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
Is it just me, or is anyone else tired of hearing this "I have great...
In really the only poll that counts....Utah is still ahead of BYU. Air Force...
That pole just came out. As much as I love my cougs, there is no way they...
One thing Utah has that you don't . . . class! Go tell what little thoughts...
Park city you lost and tied for 3/4th place but you are still trying to prove...
When you are ranked in the top twenty, maybe your comments will have some...
I can remember when the proclamation came about blacks being allowed into the...
Yeah, and Texas and Florida do? They play 8 home games and 4 road games...
You don't know that TCU is only going to lose a few starters. The Frogs could...
Some of you fans are rediculous with yoyur trash talk and disrespect. I...

