NCAA and BCS under fire from Justice Department on Playoffs

[darell1976]

http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/318495/group/homepage/


The department has been urged to launch an antitrust investigation into college football's Bowl Championship Series, to ensure that some schools don't get preferential treatment in access to the national championship game.

I meant to put Justice Dept in the header not congress.

[Dane96]

Years ago, on this very board, I brought this argument up (I may have even been in my third-year in law school working on an NCAA claim at the time, I can't remember). I have thought that for far too long the NCAA was getting away with murder...and that the more they put power into the BCS hands...the more the sport grew financially...well, the Justice Dept. would take notice.

They better pray to all heavens that they have good lawyers...because my professional experience has taught me one thing: When the government wants something, they generally get it in some way shape or form.

[darell1976]

Years ago, on this very board, I brought this argument up (I may have even been in my third-year in law school working on an NCAA claim at the time, I can't remember). I have thought that for far too long the NCAA was getting away with murder...and that the more they put power into the BCS hands...the more the sport grew financially...well, the Justice Dept. would take notice.

They better pray to all heavens that they have good lawyers...because my professional experience has taught me one thing: When the government wants something, they generally get it in some way shape or form.

The NCAA say its fair that everyone has a shot? Oh really. WAC, MAC, C-USA all have shots at a national title? Nope its not fair NCAA case in point...BOISE STATE!!!

[Dane96]

Believe me...the NCAA has a huge hill to climb...

[citdog]

time to burn that whole system down

[bkrownd]

All the stupid armchair playoff whining 20 years ago directly resulted in the travesty of the BCS, and killed the traditional bowls and the wonderful 12 hour spectacle of chaos we used to enjoy on New Year's Day. Now the powderpuff scheduling losers from Irrelevant Yawner Conferences are whining even harder - truth is they'll always be losers, whether in bowls or playoffs.

[citdog]

All the stupid armchair playoff whining 20 years ago directly resulted in the travesty of the BCS, and killed the traditional bowls and the wonderful 12 hour spectacle of chaos we used to enjoy on New Year's Day. Now the powderpuff scheduling losers from Irrelevant Yawner Conferences are whining even harder - truth is they'll always be losers, whether in bowls or playoffs.


and umass, northeastern yankee scum they are, cannot WAIT to take part.

[Cleets]

Believe me...the NCAA has a huge hill to climb...

Can't they buddy up to some justice department honcho and let this fade away...
Free lifetime tickets to all the bowls

xlolx

[Umpire]

I meant to put Justice Dept in the header not congress.

xsmiley_wix

[bluehenbillk]

Well it's not like the government can't be bought :)

Seriously - I've lisetened to many legal people comment on this that it's the BCS' worst nightmare. They'd be huge underdogs in an antitrust case and looking at treble damages. I think a playoff is in the future.

[OB55]

Dang, that would just take all the lunacy out of the whole process.xnonono2x

[Cocky]

Just the ability to move to FBS has to approved by current members of at least one conference. Itmay or may not be legal but it is similiar to a country club.

[WestCoastAggie]

The U.S. Supreme Court allowed this to occur when they ruled in favor of Okla. & Georgia in the 1984 Regents Case.

One thing that will be key in all of this will not even be football. The Elephant in the room is March Madness. The main reason why the BCS Conferences will not just up and leave the NCAA outright and create their own collegiate athletic association is because they will be hard pressed to create a post season basketball tournament that will demand the tens of billions of dollars the NCAA can demand.

With both of these things in place, the only thing that can and will most likely happen is that the BCS will eventually be scrapped and the old bowl system will return. The NCAA can create a FBS playoff but that doesn't mean the BCS Conferences will not just pull a SWAC move.