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Fed intervention in college football

Started by BA Hogwild, June 30, 2009, 12:42:25 pm

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BA Hogwild

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and President Obama have at least one thing in common: A distaste for college football's Bowl Championship Series.

The Senate Judiciary Committee's antitrust panel, of which Hatch is the top GOP member, will hold a hearing July 7 on the BCS. In an article for Sports Illustrated, Hatch says the case for government involvement -- either from Congress, the courts or the Justice Department -- is "compelling."

Obama has taken every opportunity to say the BCS should be scrapped and a playoff should be put in place, most recently in April when the University of Florida visited the White House as national champions.

Hatch no doubt has gotten an earful about the University of Utah. In 2008, the Utes were undefeated and snagged an invitation to a BCS game -- but not the national championship. Utah beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, 31-17, and remained undefeated.

Hatch notes the sentiment for a college football playoff and writes that "almost anything would be better" than what the BCS has in place now.

But before you go thinking that Congress has better things to do than mess with the BCS, think again. The senator cites the Sherman Antitrust Act, which prohibits "contracts, combinations or conspiracies" designed to reduce competition.

If "those with the power to reform the system" don't do so voluntarily, Hatch writes, then "legislation may be required to ensure that all colleges and universities receive an equal opportunity."



http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2009/06/hatch-makes-case-for-fed-intervention-in-college-football.html
The game of life is a lot like football. You have to tackle your fears,block out your problems,and score your points when you get your opportunity

StreetThief99

Quote from: Shocktheman on September 25, 2010, 07:33:57 am
Guys Im outnumbered here at FOB Sharana. . .Taliban outside the wire and Bama fans inside!  Send Hogs fans with beer immediately!

 

The Boar War

Something should be done to the BCS.  Should the government have anything to do with it?  Absolutely not.  Have they gotten anything right in the past 15 years?

hogsanity

The fix to college football is easy but no one will have the stones to do it.

1.  Get rid of the never wills like Ark St.  Get it down to 64 tems

2.  Split those 64 into 8 eight team divisions.  Those 8 winners go to the playoffs, much lke the NFL.  The rest, if people still want to pony up, could be leigible for bowl games. 
People ask me what I do in winter when there is no baseball.  I will tell you what I do. I stare out the window, and I wait for spring.

"Anything goes wrong, anything at all, your fault, my fault, nobodies fault, I'm going to blow your head off."  John Wayne in BIG JAKE

Hornkiller

As far as Hatch... wah!!!! Find some obscure poll that put Utah #1 and declare the Utes "National Champs."

The economy is shredded, my taxes are going up, CEOs are running companies into the ground begging for my cash so they can have their 6 million bone bonus, Osama and his gang are still on the loose, North Korea is making nukes and pointing them at Hawaii, I can't breath the air in most major cities and I don't want my kids using their college fund to pay off the Chinese.

Solve those problems first, then talk about the BCS....

Hog Fan from Camden

Quote from: Hornkiller on June 30, 2009, 01:01:29 pm
As far as Hatch... wah!!!! Find some obscure poll that put Utah #1 and declare the Utes "National Champs."

The economy is shredded, my taxes are going up, CEOs are running companies into the ground begging for my cash so they can have their 6 million bone bonus, Osama and his gang are still on the loose, North Korea is making nukes and pointing them at Hawaii, I can't breath the air in most major cities and I don't want my kids using their college fund to pay off the Chinese.

Solve those problems first, then talk about the BCS....
Amen!

The Boar War

Quote from: Hornkiller on June 30, 2009, 01:01:29 pm
As far as Hatch... wah!!!! Find some obscure poll that put Utah #1 and declare the Utes "National Champs."

The economy is shredded, my taxes are going up, CEOs are running companies into the ground begging for my cash so they can have their 6 million bone bonus, Osama and his gang are still on the loose, North Korea is making nukes and pointing them at Hawaii, I can't breath the air in most major cities and I don't want my kids using their college fund to pay off the Chinese.

Solve those problems first, then talk about the BCS....

Where did you hear all this?  The only thing I can gather from the news is that at this hour Michael Jackson is still dead.

Wild Bill Hog

Quote from: The Boar War on June 30, 2009, 01:05:54 pm
Where did you hear all this?  The only thing I can gather from the news is that at this hour Michael Jackson is still dead.

Obama's working on that as well.  He's put together a task force to see how best to stimulate MJ into a full recovery.

Hornkiller

Quote from: The Boar War on June 30, 2009, 01:05:54 pm
Where did you hear all this?  The only thing I can gather from the news is that at this hour Michael Jackson is still dead.

Micheal Jackson just died?!?! I saw that picture the news threw up a few years ago at that Child Molestation trial and he looked like a embalmed cadaver. I thought he'd been gone for awhile. Not like he had any hits on the radio this decade.

SemperHawg

Quote from: Hornkiller on June 30, 2009, 01:01:29 pm
As far as Hatch... wah!!!! Find some obscure poll that put Utah #1 and declare the Utes "National Champs."

The economy is shredded, my taxes are going up, CEOs are running companies into the ground begging for my cash so they can have their 6 million bone bonus, Osama and his gang are still on the loose, North Korea is making nukes and pointing them at Hawaii, I can't breath the air in most major cities and I don't want my kids using their college fund to pay off the Chinese.

Solve those problems first, then talk about the BCS....
Preach it!!!

Sivad

Obama and Congress need to stay the hell out of college football.
College football is the world's greatest sport and is doing quite well without the grandstanding interference of that bunch.

UAalumUALRlaw

Quote from: hognot on June 30, 2009, 01:07:36 pm
I am so glad Obama and the Dems have everything under control that they can worry about the BCS and college athletics.....

It's not just the socialists in the Democrat Party, the socialist Republicans are in on it too. See Senator Hatch. The BCS needs to be scrapped, but it should be due to market forces, not government micro-management.

SSgt.HOG98

Quote from: The Boar War on June 30, 2009, 12:57:11 pm
Something should be done to the BCS.  Should the government have anything to do with it?  Absolutely not.  Have they gotten anything right in the past 15 years?

NO! They have not... They should worry about our economy, and getting the rest of our guys out of Iraq, and what is Korea doing today. Leave football the hell alone!!!

 

Oliver

Quote from: Sivad on June 30, 2009, 01:25:36 pm
Obama and Congress need to stay the hell out of college football.
College football is the world's greatest sport and is doing quite well without the grandstanding interference of that bunch.

While it's the greatest sport, it also has the most Mickey Mouse way of determining a champion.

Hornkiller

Quote from: Oliver Miller on June 30, 2009, 03:10:37 pm
While it's the greatest sport, it also has the most Mickey Mouse way of determining a champion.

Ironic since begining in 2011 Mickey (via ESPN) will be running the show.

Oliver

Quote from: Hornkiller on June 30, 2009, 03:39:01 pm
Ironic since begining in 2011 Mickey (via ESPN) will be running the show.

Very nice!

hoggeek

Quote from: UAalumUALRlaw on June 30, 2009, 02:09:09 pm
It's not just the socialists in the Democrat Party, the socialist Republicans are in on it too. See Senator Hatch. The BCS needs to be scrapped, but it should be due to market forces, not government micro-management.

The whole point of antitrust regulations is to provide oversight for those situations where the market is powerless. Or do you think a majority of people prefer the status quo?

Hog-O-Licious

It is with sadness and disbelief that I note that many of you actually believe the government will solve our economic crisis or any other problem for that matter. 

The chance of those backstabbing, money grubbing, power hungry, no good wastes of flesh actually solving any problem other than giving themselves a raise is infinitesimal.  The lack of focus, constant finger pointing, and general ignorance of our elected officials makes me want to puke. 

but hey, as long as the big corporations are getting theirs and campaign contributions remain at record highs and they are promised lucrative jobs after their terms, why should they care.

phew.  ok, i feel better.  on the other hand, if that's what it takes to get a playoff then i'm all for it!
"Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein." --Joe Theismann

FATBACKHAWG

"cap and trade"....anything we can do to make it more impossible for a family of 4 not to be able to go to the games....oh wait a minute that is something else...

The Great Hambino

Ah, let Obama get up into all our business, in everything. 4 less years...

FATBACKHAWG

I hate to tell you this but he has not even started!!  I don't think there is any end in sight!

GolfnHog

Ladies & gentlemen, boys and girls....rest assured your country, soon to be referenced as Obamanation, will solve any and all of your woes. Patience is the key and questioning the process will only cause you personal heart burn. Continue to pay your ever increasing taxes, know that health care, border security, national security and all gay, lesbian & transgender legislation are but a stroke of the presidential pen and in 3 years the term President will no longer be used to address the leader of Socialistic states of America. "Comrade Barrack" will be the proper title for all to use and the NCAA will do as it is told and slaughter the weak and distribute the wealth of the elite to those that may survive.

PS: For all you that wanted "change" you be gitten it.
Have you ever listened to someone  or read what they put into thoughts and wondered...."who ties your shoelaces for you?"

ADHog

Quote from: hognot on June 30, 2009, 01:07:36 pm
I am so glad Obama and the Dems have everything under control that they can worry about the BCS and college athletics.....

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah
Do you know what that little R next to the senator's name means? REPUBLICAN! A REPUBLICAN brought this topic into the senate! Jackass!

ALLVOL

Quote from: The Boar War on June 30, 2009, 12:57:11 pm
Something should be done to the BCS.  Should the government have anything to do with it?  Absolutely not.  Have they gotten anything right in the past 15 years?
I agree totally.

 

MuskogeeHogFan

Quote from: BA Hogwild on June 30, 2009, 12:42:25 pm
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and President Obama have at least one thing in common: A distaste for college football's Bowl Championship Series.

The Senate Judiciary Committee's antitrust panel, of which Hatch is the top GOP member, will hold a hearing July 7 on the BCS. In an article for Sports Illustrated, Hatch says the case for government involvement -- either from Congress, the courts or the Justice Department -- is "compelling."

Obama has taken every opportunity to say the BCS should be scrapped and a playoff should be put in place, most recently in April when the University of Florida visited the White House as national champions.

Hatch no doubt has gotten an earful about the University of Utah. In 2008, the Utes were undefeated and snagged an invitation to a BCS game -- but not the national championship. Utah beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, 31-17, and remained undefeated.

Hatch notes the sentiment for a college football playoff and writes that "almost anything would be better" than what the BCS has in place now.

But before you go thinking that Congress has better things to do than mess with the BCS, think again. The senator cites the Sherman Antitrust Act, which prohibits "contracts, combinations or conspiracies" designed to reduce competition.

If "those with the power to reform the system" don't do so voluntarily, Hatch writes, then "legislation may be required to ensure that all colleges and universities receive an equal opportunity."

http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2009/06/hatch-makes-case-for-fed-intervention-in-college-football.html

Tell ya what, fix the friggin economy before we all go in the tank, get out of trying to govern free market economy business, solve our problems as a nation first and then they can concentrate of the friggin BCS at that point. Right now, I think these guys have more than enough on their plates without worrying about the doggone BCS...though I don't care for the way the BCS is run either and agree it needs some fixing. It just is the least of our problems at this point.
Go Hogs Go!

Wild Bill Hog

Quote from: ADHog on June 30, 2009, 07:04:14 pm
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah
Do you know what that little R next to the senator's name means? REPUBLICAN! A REPUBLICAN brought this topic into the senate! Jackass!

You totally missed the important thing in your haste to point fingers.  The important thing there is UTAH.

thirtythree

I agree that the government should be worrying more about other issues than college football. However, the BCS is screwed up and appears not willing to come up with a system that is fair for all, not just the powerhouse conferences. Sen. Hatch has a good point about the monies that are involved to teams that participate in the BCS games. If a team, no matter what conference they played in, goes undefeated, as Utah did last year, they should have a chance to play for all the marbles. Yes, I know Utah plays in a weak conference, but they had some good wins. If I'm not mistaken did they not beat the he!! out of a team that beat USC? (I didn't look it up to see, so if I'm wrong on then I apologize.

NuttinItUp

If we still had a Politics forum, I'd say this thread would be a prime candidate for a move.

aloha_kid

Quote from: BA Hogwild on June 30, 2009, 12:42:25 pm
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and President Obama have at least one thing in common: A distaste for college football's Bowl Championship Series.

The Senate Judiciary Committee's antitrust panel, of which Hatch is the top GOP member, will hold a hearing July 7 on the BCS. In an article for Sports Illustrated, Hatch says the case for government involvement -- either from Congress, the courts or the Justice Department -- is "compelling."

Obama has taken every opportunity to say the BCS should be scrapped and a playoff should be put in place, most recently in April when the University of Florida visited the White House as national champions.

Hatch no doubt has gotten an earful about the University of Utah. In 2008, the Utes were undefeated and snagged an invitation to a BCS game -- but not the national championship. Utah beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, 31-17, and remained undefeated.

Hatch notes the sentiment for a college football playoff and writes that "almost anything would be better" than what the BCS has in place now.

But before you go thinking that Congress has better things to do than mess with the BCS, think again. The senator cites the Sherman Antitrust Act, which prohibits "contracts, combinations or conspiracies" designed to reduce competition.

If "those with the power to reform the system" don't do so voluntarily, Hatch writes, then "legislation may be required to ensure that all colleges and universities receive an equal opportunity."



http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2009/06/hatch-makes-case-for-fed-intervention-in-college-football.html

Banks, Auto, Insurance, Homes, carbon footprint , .....why not the BCS?  I mean they can make everything better... LOL

Hawgon

You guys are crazy if you want the Feds involved in college football.  Once they take it upon themselves to get into the BCS debate they'll go farther in time.  Soon enough they'll be trying to say that it isn't fair that the SEC and ESPN are colluding to exclude other teams and conferences from the market and the like.

And if you think I'm kidding, just wait.  Some school will get a congress critter from its state to push some sort of legislation mandating that schools receive equal access to television and equal compensation.

3kgthog

In the immortal words of James Carville, I hate the Rose Bowl!

Big Papa Satan

I hate the Rose Bowl, I hate the Rose Bowl, I hate the Rose Bowl!

I don't particularly care for Gollum but he was exactly right on that.

kitarae

Quote from: TxRzrbak on June 30, 2009, 04:50:59 pm
Ladies & gentlemen, boys and girls....rest assured your country, soon to be referenced as Obamanation, will solve any and all of your woes. Patience is the key and questioning the process will only cause you personal heart burn. Continue to pay your ever increasing taxes, know that health care, border security, national security and all gay, lesbian & transgender legislation are but a stroke of the presidential pen and in 3 years the term President will no longer be used to address the leader of Socialistic states of America. "Comrade Barrack" will be the proper title for all to use and the NCAA will do as it is told and slaughter the weak and distribute the wealth of the elite to those that may survive.

PS: For all you that wanted "change" you be gitten it.


Ah darn, it's just like the '50s again.... except with socialism.

I blame Fox News.


unkosher

As someone who makes his living as a tax lawyer and deals with government bureaucrats on a nearly daily basis, I can tell you that I wouldn't put the federal government in charge or even want them involved with watering my lawn.  My God! Is there anything they don't want to butt their freaking noses into. I don't particularly like the BCS, but do we really want these people involved in college football? I sure as hell don't.

Justifiable Hogicide

That's just great...fresh off shutting down Gitmo and stopping the waterboarding of terrorists, raising the national debt and taxes, screwing up healthcare, ignoring the Korea nuclear threats and the Iran meltdown, now Queen Nancy Pelosi and her pals can fly their gas guzzling jumbo jets around to all the bowl cities to prep themselves for their star turns at the upcoming televised hearings on the evils of the college football BCS.

SharpTusk

July 01, 2009, 08:16:58 am #35 Last Edit: July 01, 2009, 10:13:50 am by SharpTusk
Thanks for the update !!  It is absolutely ridiculous to have Congress settle this matter in legislative halls when it should be settled on the field. 

What is there to complain about?  Utah was in a BCS game and won!  It didn't play for a BCS Championship because it's strength of schedule sucks!! 

Congress needs to legislate that Utah isn't going to have an easy road every freakin' year if its going to legislate a change in the system. 

As I posted before Let's Let Utah Play an SEC West Schedule! and settle it ON THE FIELD !!
Writer on  hog database

mellonhead

We now have a czar for this and a czar for that. How about a football czar?

OTTER

Quote from: mellonhead on July 01, 2009, 08:17:02 am
We now have a czar for this and a czar for that. How about a football czar?
Frankly, I would not be supprised at all.  Forget legislation, investigation, and stipulations---just appoint a czar.  Change and hope, change and hope!
BE AFRAID!!  Be very, very afraid!  The Hogs are hungry and you look a lot like lunch!

Hornkiller

Quote from: SharpTusk on July 01, 2009, 08:16:58 am
Thanks for the update !!  It is absolutely ridiculous to have Congress settle this matter in legislative halls when it should be settled on the field. 

What is there to complain about?  Utah was in a BCS game and won!  It didn't play for a BCS Championship because it's strength of schedule sucks!! 

Congress needs to legislate that Utah isn't going to have an easy road every freakin' year if it's going to legislate a change in the system. 

As I posted before Let's Let Utah Play an SEC West Schedule! and settle it ON THE FIELD !!

Well you can call me a socialist or communist or whatever, but I'm all for reduction in D1 college football. There are too many teams already that can barley get 10,000 people in the seats and still more trying to move up to the promised land. It's watering down the competition at D1 with teams that don't realistically have a pipe dream of competing with the fan base and revenues of most BCS programs.

So you need to trim back to about 96 DI programs, put everyone in a conference (and yes that includes Notre Dame and the other independents) then come up with an NFL type schedule that mixes things around and we'll get us some juicy OOC games. No more Texas Tech playing 4 little sister's of the poor. No more for the first time ever Florida plays Oklahoma. Give me some real games and give the Boise State's, Utah's and Hawaii's a shot at the big time programs before bowl season.

And under no circumstances should any D1 team play a D2 team. Yeah I know everyone is screaming "App State." If they think they can challenge a D1 team here is what they do. They go before an NCAA board with their figures of fan attendance and revenue. If they can beat a D1 school there, they're in and the other school drops to D2. True survival of the fittest.

Veritas Arkansas

To those that say that "the Feds" should stay out of this -

Are there any other laws, in addition to the Sherman AntiTrust Act, that you feel the NCAA should be able to break without any recourse?

Or are there any other industries that you feel should be exempt from Antitrust regulation?
Quote from: hogcard1964 on August 02, 2017, 03:02:35 pm
I like to refer to myself as a bigot.  I have every right to be.

Quote from: ThisTeetsTaken on October 06, 2017, 01:23:52 pm
White Nationalists aren't any more evil than homosexuals.

Hawgon

Quote from: Veritas Arkansas on July 01, 2009, 09:48:45 am
To those that say that "the Feds" should stay out of this -

Are there any other laws, in addition to the Sherman AntiTrust Act, that you feel the NCAA should be able to break without any recourse?

Or are there any other industries that you feel should be exempt from Antitrust regulation?

Explain how the NCAA violates the Sherman Antitrust Act.

Veritas Arkansas

Quote from: Hawgon on July 01, 2009, 09:56:12 am
Explain how the NCAA violates the Sherman Antitrust Act.

The basics of the argument are pretty simple.  The large conferences created a system that benefited themselves only to the detriment of the smaller conferences, guaranteeing that the national championship, and all of the $$$ and other benefits that come along with it, remain within the power conferences.  This system works to restrict competition, by shutting out smaller conferences.

I'm no expert on Antitrust regulation, but whether or not the BCS does in fact violate Sherman is a question worth looking at. 
Quote from: hogcard1964 on August 02, 2017, 03:02:35 pm
I like to refer to myself as a bigot.  I have every right to be.

Quote from: ThisTeetsTaken on October 06, 2017, 01:23:52 pm
White Nationalists aren't any more evil than homosexuals.

Hawgon

Quote from: Veritas Arkansas on July 01, 2009, 10:12:33 am
The basics of the argument are pretty simple.  The large conferences created a system that benefited themselves only to the detriment of the smaller conferences, guaranteeing that the national championship, and all of the $$$ and other benefits that come along with it, remain within the power conferences.  This system works to restrict competition, by shutting out smaller conferences.

I'm no expert on Antitrust regulation, but whether or not the BCS does in fact violate Sherman is a question worth looking at. 

First of all, there is no "National Championship", there is the BCS Champion who is chosen based upon rules of competition agreed upon by all members of the NCAA.  No members are forced to remain in the NCAA and any individual or combination of members may leave the NCAA and make their own arrangements.

Secondly, "competition" as described in the Sherman Antitrust Act clearly describes competition of products or ideas upon the open market, not the competition of sports teams on a field of play.

The argument of Utah against the BCS is no better of an argument than that of the team who didn't make the Field of 64 in the NCAA tournament or the team who didn't make the NFL playoffs.  All were denied their opportunities to compete for the championships of their sports based upon the rules of competition as decided by their leagues.  Sometimes the rules seem arbitrary and capricious and may rely on obscure tie breakers or other minutia to determine who gets to compete and who doesn't. 

And if the BCS dollar arrangements are unfair, then surely they are no more unfair than some of the arrangements in certain conferences.  The Big 12 has an unequal division of monies that surely serves to perpetuate the system of the haves and the have nots in the conference.  For that matter, the system of conferences itself serves to perpetuate that reality.  Surely the deal between ESPN and SEC constitutes a near monopoly of valuable television airtime that denies lesser conferences and schools the ability to compete on a level playing field for the dollars of television consumers and fans. 

bigghurtt

Quote from: Veritas Arkansas on July 01, 2009, 10:12:33 am
The basics of the argument are pretty simple.  The large conferences created a system that benefited themselves only to the detriment of the smaller conferences, guaranteeing that the national championship, and all of the $$$ and other benefits that come along with it, remain within the power conferences.  This system works to restrict competition, by shutting out smaller conferences.

I'm no expert on Antitrust regulation, but whether or not the BCS does in fact violate Sherman is a question worth looking at. 

the obvious hole in your claim being that teams like Utah, Hawaii and Boise St now have a realistic shot of competing in bowl situations they never could have pre-BCS.  Arkansas is in a BCS-conference and has never played in a BCS game, while non-BCS schools have played in 4 of them.  20 years ago, the small schools had NO chance of playing in the biggest revenue bowls, and now they can.  If anything, the BCS rewards teams for being in a horrible conference and not having to grind through a slate with 8 or more BCS-level teams on the schedule.

yes, it is highly unlikely that a smaller school can ever play for the title (though it IS possible), but name one team that earned the right to do so from a smaller conference.  I'm sorry, but it would be a slap in the face to reality to claim that a team with the kinds of slates the Boises of the world play is just as deserving of a title as a team that plays in a bigger conference.  Let Boise schedule Fla, USC, LSU and OU OOC, then we'll return to the debate.  The simple fact is, right now the BCS gives the smaller schools chances they would never have had before for revenue.  To claim that they are losing out in this system is nonsensical and intellectually dishonest.

Veritas Arkansas

Quote from: bigghurtt on July 01, 2009, 10:37:01 am
the obvious hole in your claim being that teams like Utah, Hawaii and Boise St now have a realistic shot of competing in bowl situations they never could have pre-BCS.  Arkansas is in a BCS-conference and has never played in a BCS game, while non-BCS schools have played in 4 of them.  20 years ago, the small schools had NO chance of playing in the biggest revenue bowls, and now they can.  If anything, the BCS rewards teams for being in a horrible conference and not having to grind through a slate with 8 or more BCS-level teams on the schedule.

yes, it is highly unlikely that a smaller school can ever play for the title (though it IS possible), but name one team that earned the right to do so from a smaller conference.  I'm sorry, but it would be a slap in the face to reality to claim that a team with the kinds of slates the Boises of the world play is just as deserving of a title as a team that plays in a bigger conference.  Let Boise schedule Fla, USC, LSU and OU OOC, then we'll return to the debate.  The simple fact is, right now the BCS gives the smaller schools chances they would never have had before for revenue.  To claim that they are losing out in this system is nonsensical and intellectually dishonest.

Hey, I'm not advocating the argument - just stating what the bare bones of it were.  Like I said, antitrust law is one of those things I know little about.

But my overarching point has been this - the claim that "the feds should stay out of this!" is silly.  College football is a business engaged in interstate commerce.  Thus, it is subject to federal law and regulation.  If there is a claim that it does violate the law, any law, to say that claim should be ignored because the business is a sport is silly.

Ask Kurt Flood about sports not being subject to federal regulation, and see how it caused him to end his baseball career.
Quote from: hogcard1964 on August 02, 2017, 03:02:35 pm
I like to refer to myself as a bigot.  I have every right to be.

Quote from: ThisTeetsTaken on October 06, 2017, 01:23:52 pm
White Nationalists aren't any more evil than homosexuals.

donewithdale

Quote from: thirtythree on June 30, 2009, 08:32:46 pm
I agree that the government should be worrying more about other issues than college football. However, the BCS is screwed up and appears not willing to come up with a system that is fair for all, not just the powerhouse conferences. Sen. Hatch has a good point about the monies that are involved to teams that participate in the BCS games. If a team, no matter what conference they played in, goes undefeated, as Utah did last year, they should have a chance to play for all the marbles. Yes, I know Utah plays in a weak conference, but they had some good wins. If I'm not mistaken did they not beat the he!! out of a team that beat USC? (I didn't look it up to see, so if I'm wrong on then I apologize.

They beat Oregon State by only 3 at home.  Oregon St had beaten SC but had also lost to Stanford by 8 and Penn St by 31.  Utah's other big non conf win in the regular season was by 2 over Michigan which finished 3-9 and also lost at home to Toledo by 3.  The fantasy about the MWC and its ooc achievements was shot down a couple of weeks ago.  Thanks Andre Smith and Bama(much like OU's choking helped Boise and UGa's helped WVa).

August 30 at Michigan  W 25-23 1-0 (0-0)
September 6 UNLV  W 42-21 2-0 (1-0)
September 13 at Utah State  W 58-10 3-0 (1-0)
September 20 at Air Force  W 30-23 4-0 (2-0)
September 27 Weber State  W 37-21 5-0 (2-0)
October 2 Oregon State  W 31-28 6-0 (2-0)
October 11 at Wyoming  W 40-7 7-0 (3-0)
October 18 Colorado State  W 49-16 8-0 (4-0)
November 1 at New Mexico  W 13-10 9-0 (5-0)
November 6 No. 12 TCU  W 13-10 10-0 (6-0)
November 15 at San Diego State  W 63-14 11-0 (7-0)
November 22 No. 14 Brigham Young  W 48-24 12-0 (8-0)
January 2 vs. No. 4 Alabama*  W 31-17 13-0 (8-0)


Since the politics forum is gone, I'll try and refrain from commenting on Obama.  But our government is gaining control over enough without needing to get involved with college football.  I know some here, especially a couple of the younger posters, are enjoying and supporting this. 


App State is not D2.  Please learn the difference in the divisions in college football. 

Wild Bill Hog

What problem has the government or congress solved that makes anyone think they would handle college football well?

UAalumUALRlaw

Quote from: hoggeek on June 30, 2009, 03:51:01 pm
The whole point of antitrust regulations is to provide oversight for those situations where the market is powerless. Or do you think a majority of people prefer the status quo?

The market is not powerless. An idea that is more profitable than the current format will inevitably arise if such an idea exists. Forcing a playoff by the Feds is merely a pro-consumer populist ploy that ignores the market completely. We'll get a playoff eventually, but if it comes at the cost of a private enterprise losing its freedom and autonomy, it scares me.

cbjagman

Quote from: BA Hogwild on June 30, 2009, 12:42:25 pm
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and President Obama have at least one thing in common: A distaste for college football's Bowl Championship Series.

The Senate Judiciary Committee's antitrust panel, of which Hatch is the top GOP member, will hold a hearing July 7 on the BCS. In an article for Sports Illustrated, Hatch says the case for government involvement -- either from Congress, the courts or the Justice Department -- is "compelling."

Obama has taken every opportunity to say the BCS should be scrapped and a playoff should be put in place, most recently in April when the University of Florida visited the White House as national champions.

Hatch no doubt has gotten an earful about the University of Utah. In 2008, the Utes were undefeated and snagged an invitation to a BCS game -- but not the national championship. Utah beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, 31-17, and remained undefeated.

Hatch notes the sentiment for a college football playoff and writes that "almost anything would be better" than what the BCS has in place now.

But before you go thinking that Congress has better things to do than mess with the BCS, think again. The senator cites the Sherman Antitrust Act, which prohibits "contracts, combinations or conspiracies" designed to reduce competition.

If "those with the power to reform the system" don't do so voluntarily, Hatch writes, then "legislation may be required to ensure that all colleges and universities receive an equal opportunity."



http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2009/06/hatch-makes-case-for-fed-intervention-in-college-football.html
Well that's all we need is another way for the government to somehow get involved in another enterprise. Heck, isn't being involved with the banks, car companies and just about everything else under the sun give them enough things to do?

UAalumUALRlaw

But the federal government would be expanding its reach beyond anything we have ever seen before. If you look at past anti-trust cases brought against professional sports organizations, none of them involve regulating the post season formats of those sports.

Quote from: Veritas Arkansas on July 01, 2009, 10:43:33 am
Hey, I'm not advocating the argument - just stating what the bare bones of it were.  Like I said, antitrust law is one of those things I know little about.

But my overarching point has been this - the claim that "the feds should stay out of this!" is silly.  College football is a business engaged in interstate commerce.  Thus, it is subject to federal law and regulation.  If there is a claim that it does violate the law, any law, to say that claim should be ignored because the business is a sport is silly.

Ask Kurt Flood about sports not being subject to federal regulation, and see how it caused him to end his baseball career.