Deseret News | Shurtleff is offered support in BSC probe

Reader comments
Shurtleff is offered support in BSC probe

Ute in SF | 12:16 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

God Bless Mark Shurtleff! The BCS system is unfair and we all need to move forward to a playoff system.

Josh | 12:28 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

There's been talk of legal action and legislation for YEARS. Enough talk, lets see some lawsuits already! Send those corrupt, arrogant blue-bloods a message.

Thank Heavens for Jason | 2:15 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

I know the Lord put him in Congress for a reason!

Comments continue below

Al Grotzinger | 4:19 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

The most blatant violation in the whole process is that BCS busters must share their intake with all the non-BCS conferences while the BCS schools only have to share within their own conference. This gives them much more money per school to improve their facilities and improve recruiting prospects, while keeping the outsiders diffused and less competitive.

Anonymous | 4:52 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

I think that we have far more pressing problems then the BCS-the attorney general should identify them and use his extra time to work on them.

l. h. Semadeni | 5:59 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

Perhaps the best way for the "good old boys" to get our message is to not buy the products advertised during these games. Unfortunately, money talks in sports ALSO !

Shurtleff opportunist | 6:04 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

For all of the controversy over the BCS, Shurtleff is a johnny-come-lately. BYU AD Val Hale and Coach Gary Crowton wanted to sue the BCS about 7 years ago when the Cougars were going to be shut out. There were rumbles of lawsuits 4 years ago when the Utes went to the Fiesta Bowl and, as the article mentions, there are people in Boise who feel the same. But Shurtleff is just grabbing for headlines as he prepares to run for higher political office. He is a shameless opportunist.

Won't Happen | 7:26 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

Much as it should happen, I just don't see it happening. It's as corrupt as Illinois politics. But the money is enormous and the organization very tight. I wish the process well. Polls say that 95% of Americans want a playoff. But then again, it's not about the people. It's about the money mongering machine, aka: BC$.

I congratulate Florida for winning the championship of the BCS machine. They are champs of the monopolied conferences.

I congratulate Utah for being NATIONAL Champions. They are the champs of ALL 119 schools, not by opinion, but by their play on the field. You don't have to have a trophy to realize the truth.

And, no, I'm not a Ute. I'm a Cougar.

Svoboda | 7:48 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

I'm a BYU grad, but there is no doubt that Utah rolled this season, and deserved to be the champion. The BCS is rigged. Only teams from the six BCS conferences will play for the championship. I hate bullies, and that is exactly what the BCS is. Anyone who says otherwise, is a crook and a liar. And that perfectly describes all the university presidents who concocted and sustain the current system. If the lower divisions in NCAA footbal can have a playoff, then, duh, so can the highest level.

Go Mark!!! | 8:13 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

I am not a Ute but rather a lowly Aggie and we may never be in the BCS mix but the bottom line is that once again we are mired in controversy and once again the ACC and Big East put out mediocre (at best) football teams who jumped right on the BCS train and took their millions while other more deserving teams were left to the wayside. This is to say nothing about who the National Champs are. I mean who saw Cincinnati pull out a come from behind win over Hawaii-HAWAII LOST TO UTAH STATE!!!!! I realize I am using my school as a punching bag but it goes to show how pathetic it is that Cincy received a BCS bid. Why? Because they are part of some "BIG TIME" conference, PLEASE give me a freaking break!

Now to the national champion debate-It doesn't matter if you are Utah, Texas or USC they all have legit arguments. Bottom line is we will never know a true champion under the current system. It is total BS (or should we say BCS:)).

Justin | 8:26 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

Great thought--I hate the BSC, however I think AG's, and legislators should spend their time on more important issues. I see more injustice in immigration than in the BCS. My 401K is 50% of it's value from a year ago. Fix those issues first then go for the BSC guns a blazing.

Cougar Fan | 8:47 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

Shurtleff is a shameless politician, but I hope he prevails. The Utes deserve the national title. They are national champs in my book. We should all be proud of their accomplishment.

Money | 9:13 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

The BCS IS all about money, but do we have to spend our tax dollars to prove that? I'd rather use the money elsewhere. The investigation sounds good, but it WILL NOT make Utah the Champs. It WILL cost money.

I agree with "Shurtleff Opportunist". This is a flavor of the month topic. If Shurtleff was that concerned about the BCS he'd have done this his first year in office.

RE: won't happen | 9:19 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

You declare Utah champions of ALL 119 teams. I did not realize they had PLAYED all 119 teams! Last I checked they played 3 good teams, 3 other teams who managed to win enough to go to a bowl, and an equal number of downright bad teams! There are at least a half dozen teams who'd have been undefeated with Utah's regular season schedule. Don't let that be your measure.

P.S. You must be a Washington State Cougar, there's NO WAY you're a BYU Cougar!

Hypocrite Watch | 9:28 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

Why doesn't Mark Shurtleff challenge the rigged elections that good ol' boy Democrats and Republicans use to cheat American voters every election cycle?

"Two-party system" means the exclusion of other political parties.

Voters deserve more viable choices.

A few ideas... | 9:59 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

If the AG is unable to dismantle the BCS completely and we are forced to settle on changes to the existing system, here are my suggestions.

1. The BCS must change its name to the BSS. I think we all know what that stands for.

2. All of the Good Ol' Boys who ran this scam must admit that they had no intention of making the system fair, but to simply study anti-trust laws and see how much money they could funnel into their conferences without getting sued.

3. All non-BCS conferences are awarded damages to the amount of 1/2 of all the winnings that were paid to BCS conferences over the past 11 years.

Sweet. | 10:15 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

Sweet. Go get 'em Mark. There's nothing else to do. It's the state of Utah.

Wrong Priorities? | 10:37 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

We are cutting the state budget to the bone but we have enough money to ensure that sports is played fairly?

-Wrong Priorities?- | 10:38 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

We are cutting the state budget to the bone but have enough funds for a legal fight to ensure that sports is played fairly?

First things First | 10:41 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

How about the State focus on academic quality instead? Heaven knows it has gone downhill considerably, shouldn't we pay attention to the most important things, before we spend money on stupid stuff?

RE: First things first | 10:58 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

I think we are capable of working on more than one problem at a time.

Eagle4Justice | 11:08 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

AG Mark Shurtleff should conduct the probe and pursue any antitrust or other violations uncovered. He should accept any assistance offered by other State AGs and assure that only appropriate litigation or other action is taken on behalf of the State of Utah.

The Utah UTES (13-0) have performed and conducted themselves as National Champions. Coach Whittingham has demonstrated that "action speaks far louder than mere words," and that when words are used, they should be used in a positive and professional manner.

Let us proceed by action and words that will repair the unfairness of the BCS system but without all the negative hyperbole.

Shurtleff | 11:16 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009

Shamless oppertunist
2.5 Million with the same problems
He is not interested in listening to one man telling him the problem
Shurleff has disgraced the office of Attorney General
He is not interested in hearing we have Judges making criminals out of honest people
The Judges are actually insane men on the bench
Prosecutors are failing to do a proper investigation to reach a conclusion, Over agressive Attorneys that failed to make it on their own
The Legal System is to expensive
The Attorneys are not properly trained as well
We are a Nation Of Laws

montanan | 12:16 p.m. Jan. 10, 2009

As a BYU alumni I have lots of stories of why I dislike the Utes. However, without a doubt. Utah is #1 this year. The bcs needs to be stopped. I support the AG 100%.

Hey Won't Happen | 12:55 p.m. Jan. 10, 2009

Thanks for once again showing how uneducated Cougar fans are about sports.....bet you were one of the BYU to BCS fans before your game with TCU. Utah beat 2 top 7 teams and 4 teams in the top 25....they are desrving and you are not very bright

Think bigger | 12:53 p.m. Jan. 10, 2009

To all concerned about wasting money pursuing this, consider how much money comes to the state and university with the #1 title not just for football but in sales, tourism, etc. This is an "investment" well worth spending time on and I'm not even a sports fan. It would be different if Utah were alone on this appearing like a bitter loser, but do others are joining in on this. Do a news search, it's being picked up all over the place. The opportunity for an underdog to prevail is the only thing that catches my attention in sports and that's what makes NCAA basketball playoffs exciting.

re: Wrong Priorities | 12:58 p.m. Jan. 10, 2009

It's not about ensuring sports is played fairly...it's about money. Last I checked the U was a state school. The BCS system ensured no chance for recognition as National Champions translates to restricting $$$ from coming into the U.

uncannygunman | 3:27 p.m. Jan. 10, 2009

Whether or not college football is "fair" should not be the subject of litigation. Utah had a classy season and can be proud of its accomplishments regardless of what the BCS says. Filing a lawsuit will only make us look like whiny rubes.

to uncannygunman | 3:47 p.m. Jan. 10, 2009

that's what lawsuits are generally for. to determine whether something is fair.

Sorry | 4:07 p.m. Jan. 10, 2009

I'm not a lawyer, but I bet if this goes to court, BCS will win because MWC, WAC, MAC, C-USA, and SBC actually signed off on the most recent contract. Swofford has already spun that this week, as "all 11 conferences like the current system."

Years ago when suits were brought up, and people were wondering why the NCAA doesn't assert control, rumors surfaced that it was being held hostage by several BCS schools that threatened to leave the NCAA altogether and form some kind of semi-pro league if it tried to take over. You never know what is going on behind closed doors.

Waste of Money? | 4:40 p.m. Jan. 10, 2009

As Shurtleff said, his job is to ensure laws are enforced, regardless of what those laws are. To those whining about the state budget and their 401(k)s, don't worry about it. Shurtleff's suit won't affect anything else. It's already in the budget. The last thing I would want is an attorney general who choses which laws should be enforced and which shouldn't be.

For once | 6:16 p.m. Jan. 10, 2009

Utah is in the national news spotlight on something that's not embarassing to the state. Most folks would like to see a playoff for the entertainment value and even President-elect O is weighing in. So the publicity certainly might benefit Shurtleff but this is a battle many Americans see worth fighting for.

sec | 8:00 p.m. Jan. 10, 2009

MWC whiners have to get in line behind a lot of other folks in hating BCS.
However, having said that, if it is about money what makes you think nonBCS schools (which are in small markets) deserve more money? If you can't sell your tickets to BCS bowls and don't have any TV ad revenue what entitles you to money raised from other fans and in other markets?

re:sec | 8:28 p.m. Jan. 10, 2009

So starkville mississippi is a big tv market? What about pullman washington? And fans in other markets didnt raise the bcs money. Why should doormat sec and acc schools get bcs money every year even though they are terrible? You make it sound like fan quality wins championships. A team deserves a chance to win a championship no matter how small. I bet utah would give up the money if it meant a chance to play for a championship.

Sam in Sacramento | 1:47 a.m. Jan. 11, 2009

Everyone who thinks that Shurtleff should spend his time dealing with more important issues, first needs to realize that he is an attorney general, not a legislator. Second, you need to understand that the focus of the suit is a legitimate antitrust violation by the BCS that results in the lost revenue to Utah schools in the amounts of millions of dollars per year. Yes, I said per year. True, these types of claims have been made in the past, but in order to prevail in such a suit, evidence of the violation must be persuasive. Utah's exclusion from the Championship game provides a very persuasive piece of evidence that may be enough to prove that there is some contract or conspiracy amongst the BCS that puts an unreasonable restraint on trade. I commend the AG and wish him luck in his efforts.

Matthew | 8:41 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

NCAA sports branded merchandise is big business. Who is # 1 influences sales and hence we have trade restraint. Is it worth Utah taxes $$s, probably not. Is it illegal, I think there is a chance that it is.

CrimsonUte | 9:35 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

"Shurtleff is offered support in BSC probe"

Uh, I'm familiar with the BCS, but not the BSC...

sports fan | 12:46 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Everybody that complains about this being a waste of money should think about all the money that is involed in all sports...the nation is going broke, but all the athletes and coaches are getting richer! It makes perfect sense for Shurtlef to show what a monoploy the BCS is, and perhaps we as citizens will not keep paying the outragous prices to watch these people play. We are giving our hard earned money to these wealthy athletes.

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