Deseret News | Hatch asks Obama to probe BCS

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Hatch asks Obama to probe BCS

Matt Connelly | 11:02 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Love it Orrin! Let's keep up the pressure until the BCS evil empire crumbles!

Nice | 11:16 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Because the BCS is so much more important than anything else the POTUS has on his national and global agenda.

Waiter, check please!

Note to Obama | 11:26 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Just try being president! We could sure use one.

Comments continue below

Stupid! | 11:29 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009

What a stupid, stupid idea. Please Senator Hatch, focus on issues that really matter and leave the President alone.

EKBJ | 11:35 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Get real! Let's deal with real issues and problems in this country, not a stupid game that kids play.

Anonymous | 11:42 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Orrin, we don't need a big federal government solution to every problem. BYU lost. Get over it. This is only college football and not nuclear proliferation. Is is America. You can start a new football division if you don't like the BCS. Quit asking nanny government to bail you out. If BYU quit the BCS it might force change.

Scott | 11:55 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Sure, blame Obama. Forget that it's Utah's hero, Orrin Hatch, that is asking Obama to waste his time on it.

Bahahahaha... | 11:58 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Walks out on major health care talks, yet hangs around to worry about the BCS. Bahhahahah...ranks right up there with Obama going to get us the olympics...bahahaahahah!

JB | 12:34 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

This "stupid game that kids play" (EKBJ 11:35 10/21) generates millions upon millions of dollars of income for colleges, particularly for those in the BCS. It also generates millions upon millions of dollars of advertising revenue. The United States has historically been opposed to entities that restrain trade, which the BCS does. In the past, the federal government has broken up other monopolies, trusts, and the like because they inhibit free competition. Wait... competition?? Isn't that somehow part of CAPITALISM? We certainly don't like capitalism, do we? We much prefer socialism. On second thought, let's not investigate the BCS for fear of promoting free trade and capitalism!

Whining | 12:41 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Ok, BCS is unfair, I get it. Does anybody doing all the complaining see how ridiculous they look?

JB | 12:51 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Anonymous (11:42 a.m. 10/21), BYU isn't IN the BCS. The BCS won't let it in, nor will it let most other colleges in. It's a closed group. Doesn't matter how good you are, they won't let you in to their club or access to all their lucrative contracts. That's why it restricts free trade and might even be ILLEGAL!

I'm sorry, folks, but this isn't "just" college football anymore. Even college football has turned into big business, generating millions of dollars of revenue. It's a shame, but that's the way it is. And that's why the term "student athlete" is fast becoming an oxymoron.

Forrest | 1:25 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Nice going, Senator Hatch. Your letter does something. So often in Washington D.C. our senators and representatives are in stalemate. Little actually happens. We elect Bob Bennett because his ads say the Internal Revenue Code is too large. Has it gotten any smaller in all these years? Real issues and problems in this country are getting all the attention a divided Congress wishes to give them. They'll move when its politically expedient. In the meantime, we might get some progress with these other things.

Note to Hatch & Obama | 1:26 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Do the job you were elected to do or else you will be voted out. Bennett is going down next year.

Arthur Gelsinger | 1:35 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Sure, the BCS violates antitrust laws, but the health insurance industry (espousing "free market" ideals while at the same time refusing to compete with the public option) does not. Glad to see you have your priorities straight when it comes to important issues, Senator!

It's the money | 1:51 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Keep at it Senator. The state of Utah deserves the money as much or more than the BCS states. But, Obama stiffed Republican input on health care and he will probably do the same on the BCS monopoly. The Obama-ites will drink his Kool-aid and follow him into national bankruptcy. Wait, that's already happened.

Read the Constitution | 2:04 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Mr. Hatch, I'm not sure where you derive any power to be fooling around with college football.

In fact, I'm not sure where you get the power to do most of the stuff you people think is so important that you're doing. How about reading the constitution that you're talked about so much in that past, and that you've taken an oath to protect.

In my opinion, people like Hatch _are_ domestic enemies of the constitution.

Anonymous | 2:04 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

JB | 12:34 p.m It's both amusing and interesting watching this from the outside. If football ended tomorrow, it won't bother me. I like Cal because of its academic reputation. It took BYU fans to turn me against a school in my native state. BYU has the most arrogant fans in America.

Conservatives whine about growing the power of our federal government. Conservative run to government for solutions. It's years of running to the government that has grown government, increasing the costs of government and adding regulations.

You're part of your problem. Bush grew government at a record rate. He added a new Department doing what was done by the FBI. When has a new department been a solution?

In America, traditionally, we fight for our beliefs. Fighting comes at a cost. If BYU quit the BCS it would create ripples. You want to fight without risking a thing.

WAC Fan | 2:15 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

MWC,

Please stop your whining. You are embarrassing all of the conferences. If you want to join the BCS Conferences then you need to go out and win BCS games. Just like we do in the WAC. Have fun watching us on ESPN. I would watch your games but they are on Versus and The Mountain. I don't get those channels.

Funny comments | 2:15 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Hahaha Its so funny to listen to anti freedom/american people talk.

1. Its UTAH, NOT BYU Hatch has ties to.
2. Hatch must represent the will of his voters.
By walking out of health care he did that. By demanding HOPE & CHANGE to an elite corrupt ncaa playoff system he is doing that. (and I dont agree with the FEDS getting involved even if the NCAA is WRONG ) So Even though I dont support Federal intervention in anything but what the constitution allows.

Having not voted for Hatch it is assinine to question him in doing what the MAJORITY of his voters WANT him to do.

And to those whinning about focusing on major topics. He is.

Lee | 2:23 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Did Obama really use the word "nudge?" He always has been forthcomming on his being a radical, but nobody cares.

bob carlisle | 2:34 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

The BCS potentially is ripping off utah state colleges, You know your higher education? of millions of dollars, pretty important eh?

SLC gal | 2:50 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Someone tell me Hatch is kidding!!!!!

Herb Gravy | 2:59 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Obviously, Hatch and Obama have absolutely nothing better to do. How embarrassing for the state of Utah and the USA. What makes OH think that BHO would do ANYTHING a Republican thought was a good idea?????????????????????? The silliness in D. C. goes on, and on, and on.

John | 2:59 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

As if the president didn't have anything else to do that is not more pressing.

Anonymous | 3:04 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

This is the only REAL thing politicans can do. They are totally controlled when it comes to any real regulation. If you guys still haven't figured it out, Obama and Hatch are minions for the offshore banks. AKA The Illuminati. If it comes to something relating to economics they have NO control over those decisions. Offshore banks are creating this depression by DESIGN. just like they did the first depression. They are inflating our currency with PAPER money while they use GOLD and SILVER. LDS or not, this is the secret combination that the Book of Mormon warns us about.

This is a serious issue | 3:13 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

It is serious because it strikes at the moral and financial fiber of our institutions of higher learning in the US. It is serious because it directly affects the level of donations given to universities.

Besides, just because Hatch worries about the BCS doesn't preclude his worrying about other issues.

And finally, it is not the written role of big government to solve all problems, but it IS the written role of government to protect us against monopolies.

CRBUB | 3:14 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Only the intellectually dishonest would believe this isn't worth our government's time. College Sports (football) is one of the biggest businesses, affecting directly and indirectly 100's of communities and millions of citizens and their jobs. The current system easily costs over a billion dollars in unrealized revenue and economic stimulus that would be realized in a playoff. It is not about sports at all in fact. It is about a huge industry engaging in illegal restriction of trade running an illegal monoply to protect a small groups power base. This is as big as any antitrust issue in any industry and similar th the problems with big oil. So what else would you have your elected officials do? More town meetings perhaps? This effort isn't about Utah missing a NC game. It is about stopping illegal activity and the best venue is the justice system, not the political arena and thats exactly where Hatch is trying to get with this. If this goes to court watch how quickly the BCS systems crumbles. We will all then wonder why it took so long for someone to cry out the Emperor has no clothes.

hatch - lol | 3:17 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

is this really the issue that this guy should be working on? does he REALLY have nothing better to do?

to -- Funny comments | 2:15 p.m | 3:41 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

["By walking out of health care he did that. By demanding HOPE & CHANGE to an elite corrupt ncaa playoff system he is doing that."]

Hahaha Its so funny to listen to anti christian people here...

so you would rather Hatch get changes in some stupid football league than have him step up and provide health care for the millions of americans that don't have it?

while your fantasy league may be important to you, the single mom or widow down the street with 3 kids and no insurance I'm pretty sure would rather have Hatch work on health insurance for her family.

["Hatch must represent the will of his voters"]

are Utah priorities really that messed up?

RE: Anonymous 11:42 | 3:56 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Why is it you Ute trolls always have to turn everything against BYU, even when it's not even an article about BYU, but about Utah getting jacked out of the NC game? LOL... You make me laugh! Once again, proving you still suffer from little brother syndrome.

President Uerkle | 4:08 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

President has his hands full.....he is not a very Athletic specimen in the first place.....he got his head handed to him by the Olympic committee.....I highly doubt he will step up to the BCS for fear of LOSING.....My take is President Uerkle will vote "PRESENT"!

AZ Dave | 5:18 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Hello do know what the rest of the nation is thinking and saying about Hatch and Utah? Get a clue

Dangerous | 5:42 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

It is rumored that the most dangerous place in Washington is standing between Orrin Hatch and a TV camera.

Anonymous | 2:04 p.m. Oct. 21, 2 | 5:57 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

It's not BYU, but left wing politics, that turn you to Cal. People like you who judge others as arrogant need to look in the mirror for real arrogance.

xscribe | 6:40 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

We want government - wait, no, we don't want goverment - wait, no, we do want government.

Everyone wants the goverment when it suits their needs!

@PRjeff | 6:52 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Wrong is wrong. There is no excuse to look the other way just because it's "only" college football. Keep up the great work Senator Hatch.

Touchdown! | 7:26 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Senator Hatch needs to put on his pads and get back on the field with the Health Care Team. When they score the winning touchdown for all Americans perhaps they'll let Hatch kick the PAT. Go team . . . Go Health Care . . . Go Bipartisan Hatch!

Eugene | 8:50 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

This is a legitimate issue for the president. He waded into it with his own opinions. Hundreds of millions of dollars and the welfare of all colleges depend on the Congress and the president to solve inequities and protect us from those who attempt monopolies or restrict trade.

Too bad that the same sickness of money and power that riddles the BCS similary affects those in government all the way to the top!

Money and power . . . the way of the world. Sad, isn't it?

Learn a little history here.... | 9:23 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Folks, under the old system, no WAC or MWC team could have ever played in any of these bowl games. These bowls we locked into these conferences way before there was a BCS. If anything, smaller conference now have an opportunity to play at these storied bowl venues. Before, they had none. They had to create stupid, small, bowl games at venues no one cared about. Boise had to create its own bowl game for its team to be able to play at. Who the heck wants to go to Boise or watch a game there in December.... no one. This year, they have a chance to play somewhere before they had not chance to.

Get the heck over it....

And while I like Mr. Hatch, this is a freaking waste of time and money right now. Lets get to real issues.

Need to do | 9:24 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

THis is something that needs to be investigated period! It is anti trust! Yes the President has more important things, but most of those do not involve the justice department that will investigate this thing anyway. He just has to give the ok for it to move forward.

It is the NCAA's | 9:42 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

responsibility to put together a tournament to determine its champion. Footbal is the only sport that does not have a tournament nor a NCAA recognized tournament. The BCS has no affiliation with the NCAA and as mythical as BYU's media national championship in 1984. The NCAA also has the responsibility to protect the fairness for all its member schools. There is nothing inherently unfair in having a tournament. As with the basketball tournament all Division I conferences should be represented by their champion. I think there are 10-11 conferences that sponsor Division I football. After that have 5-6 at large teams and go from there. It's really that simple. It is difficult, that is the problem to break the stranglehold of the bowl people and big money. But it is really the NCAA's responsibility to step up and get the job done. If they accept federal monies, which all Division I football programs do, it should be fair and all schools, big or small, should have access. Again, it is simple yet difficult.

Here's a thought | 10:29 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

Some have said (such as one of my roommates) that the BCS conferences deserve automatic berths in the bowl series because they are better football teams with a more demanding schedule against with top ranked teams, as opposed to non-BCS conferences who play lesser demanding schedules.

In my opinion, the error in that logic is the blind eye to the glass ceiling created. In other words, the "better teams" of the BCS series are a self fulfilling prophesy. Certain conferences get automatic berths, and thus attract top players, who then want to be played by other top ranked conferences. Essentially, he who has the cards makes the rules.

Constituent | 11:44 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

THIS is the issue that Hatch has chosen to spend his time on? The nation is crumbling around us and he is worried about COLLEGE FOOTBALL?? You have got to be kidding me. Mr. Hatch, do your state and your country a favor and get out of office. Don't run again. This is one of many reasons that THIS constituent will be working for your opposition.
You're our official voice in Washington, and you have either fallen asleep at the post or become a "yes" man to special interest groups and the powers that be. Oh wait, you are the powers that be.
Yup, I'll be working for the opposition come caucus time.

What's up? | 6:26 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009

Hatch has out lived his usefulness to the state. We need folks that understand what they need to do in time such as this, and it is not to pander to football fans for support.

Anonymous | 7:38 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009

Why can't Hatch himself do something. At least draft a bill and introduce it. Stop passing the buck and crowing about it.

John Pearson | 8:32 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009

Orrin Hatch, too, buys Obama's shtick!
Obama, ruler of men, destroyer of nations, now has the great one-time conservative, Orrin Hatch, groveling at his feet and acting as if the President of the United States had the right, indeed even the obligation, to solve every problem anyone could ever have.
Since Orrin recognizes Obama's greatness, maybe it's time for great Barack should build a threescore tall golden image that people can worship whenever the gong sounds.

Joe Hobbs | 9:06 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009

I agree that the BCS is a rotten system. But would government involvement make it better? Let's keep pressure on the powers that be to reform the system, but let's keep government out of it. Government is already way too involved in our lives.

College Tuition | 9:41 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009

The potential for his work has a huge payoff. If the $492 million could be split by all conferences, NOT just the BCS conferences, we wouldn't need to raise tuition..AGAIN!

The current system is creating a huge divide of talent from BCS schools and Non-BCS schools. All of the good players want to be able to "win a national title" and they can't do that if they attend Utah State, or the U. If Utah State put together two undefeated seasons, they wouldn't even have a chance for a national title. THAT'S WRONG!

The unpredictability of the winner from year to year in NCAA Basketball is what makes it intriguing. Knowing the BCS champion will be from one of two dozen schools year after year is not interesting to the casual fan. This is the untapped revenue college football is losing out on. By changing the system, the total revenue can be increased, and the wealth could be shared by the top teams.

Colleges take state funding!

By splitting up the money and

If the Hatch couldn't have spent more than a day preparing this letter, probably a few hours or less.

Anonymous | 10:20 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009

Hatch's arguments sound like a liberal arguing for "social equality."

Cosmo | 2:18 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009

Oh the Humanity! Football over Marxism, which would you be concerned over?

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