Feds to NCAA: Why no playoffs?

elway=goat · 05-05-2011, 05:35 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=6479279

Quote:

WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department wants to know why the NCAA doesn't have a college football playoff system and says there are "serious questions" about whether the current format to determine a national champion complies with antitrust laws.

Critics who have urged the department to investigate the Bowl Championship Series contend it unfairly gives some schools preferential access to the title championship game and top-tier end-of-season bowls.

In a letter this week, the department's antitrust chief, Christine Varney, asked NCAA president Mark Emmert why a playoff system isn't used in football, unlike in other sports; what steps the NCAA has taken to create one; and whether Emmert thinks there are aspects of the BCS system that don't serve the interest of fans, schools and players.

"Your views would be relevant in helping us to determine the best course of action with regard to the BCS," she wrote.

"Serious questions continue to arise suggesting the current Bowl Championship Series system may not be conducted consistent with the competition principles expressed in the federal antitrust laws," Varney said.

Varney noted that the attorney general of Utah, Mark Shurtleff, has said he plans an antitrust lawsuit against the BCS and that 21 professors recently wrote the department requesting an investigation.

Shurtleff, who met with department officials last fall to discuss a possible federal probe, said at the time that such an investigation was critical to the effort to get a playoff system.

The NCAA said Wednesday it would respond to the government's questions when it receives the letter.

Spokesman Bob Williams said Emmert has consistently said the NCAA is willing to move to a playoff format if schools with the nation's major football programs want to go that route.

Bill Hancock, the BCS executive director, was confident the current system complies with the law.

"Goodness gracious, with all that's going on in the world right now and with national and state budgets being what they are, it seems like a waste of taxpayers' money to have the government looking into how college football games are played," he said.

Under the BCS, the champions of six conferences have automatic bids to play in top-tier bowl games; other conferences don't. Those six conferences also receive more money than the other conferences.

Attorney general Eric Holder referenced Varney's letter at a Senate hearing Wednesday, in response to a statement from Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican and BCS critic. Hatch called the BCS a "mess" and said that "privileged conferences" have tremendous advantages over the unprivileged.

"And I just hope that you'll continue to follow up on that particular issue," he said. "It's an important one, I think."

"I don't disagree with you," Holder responded. "You and I have talked about this issue, and I think I'm free to say that we have sent a letter to the NCAA about this issue and will be following up."

Before he was sworn in as president, Barack Obama said in 2008 that he was going to "to throw my weight around a little bit" to nudge college football toward a playoff system.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

Dunno if anyone has posted this year, I didnt see it on the page. But if the feds start pushing this, do you think we finally get to watch a playoff.

niel89 · 05-05-2011, 10:58 PM

I dislike that the government is getting involved a little bit because I think it is a waste of tax money, but I would LOVE to get to a playoff system. Just give me the top 8 teams in a mini playoff and I'm straight.

descendency · 05-06-2011, 01:10 AM

In reality, even a playoff system won't work well for football. You can't play a game every 3 days and the best you would see otherwise is a 4-8 team playoff. Some might be happy with this, but the same shenanigans that go on with the BCS could go on in a small tournament like that.

Just wait... everyone will be wondering why Boise State is only an 8 seed ever or why they only make the tournament every odd year.

You can't have a 64 team tournament in football. It's a far different sport. It's far more violent and takes a larger toll on bodies. It has to be played weekly. Bowl games are played a month after to try to allow most injuries to heal so one team isn't banged up. When you play a tournament, every team will be banged up. I guess it's ok if we have Football March Madness too.

I see huge flaws in the BCS too and it probably violates a lot of laws, but it isn't that much worse than a tournament.

niel89 · 05-06-2011, 04:49 AM

I agree a huge 64 team tourney is a ridiculous idea. Football is just too much of a physical toll on the body to play games with in a few days. Its a beautiful fantasy that could never really exist.

I think that a 8 team playoff would help to eliminate boxing out some of the smaller schools. Its a hell of a lot easier for a team to get into the top 8 than the top 2. Yes teams from power conferences would have the advantage but a team if a team like Boise St goes undefeated the will be in the top 8 no matter what. As it is now they would possibly compete for the top 2. No automatic conference bids for the playoff.

From my point of view, I couldn't care less about the individual BCS bowls. I just hate how only 2 teams can compete for the championship. There are teams every year that we say "man they could have easily given the championship team a run for their money if they only had a chance." Just take the top 8 teams and 3 weeks and we would settle a lot of awful debate. If Boise St goes in there and gets blown out, then at least we know for sure. I'd rather debate who is the 8th best team to get in, than the 2nd best team.

soybean · 05-06-2011, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niel89

I dislike that the government is getting involved a little bit because I think it is a waste of tax money, but I would LOVE to get to a playoff system. Just give me the top 8 teams in a mini playoff and I'm straight.

you know how much money college football generates? With the implementation of a playoff system, it might just give the economy a little push.

zhuo1005 · 02-12-2012, 07:20 PM

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Punisher · 02-12-2012, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zhuo1005

Say to yourself everyday!!
You did really great!
I support you!
Continue to work hard!Continue to share!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Column Wedding Dresses|Empire Wedding Dresses|Trumpet Wedding Dresses

Thank you, I appreciate it.

Shane P. Hallam · 02-13-2012, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niel89

I dislike that the government is getting involved a little bit because I think it is a waste of tax money, but I would LOVE to get to a playoff system. Just give me the top 8 teams in a mini playoff and I'm straight.

It's perfect timing with more conferences wanting a plus one though. If NCAA had their antitrust removed, they'd be in deep deep trouble.

jrdrylie · 02-13-2012, 08:15 AM

I don't like the Government meddling in pro sports. I think that is a waste of tax money. But college sports I don't mind because the majority of schools are public universities that take Government funds. By having a bowl system that is inherently discriminatory towards 50 teams it becomes Government business. It potentially costs some of these public universities millions of dollars. Money that could go to giving scholarships to students, improving school facilities, and hiring better professors. It is absolutely the responsibility of Congress to do things in the best interest of all universities and colleges in their jurisdiction, not just the 66 (plus Notre Dame) that happen to be in a BCS conference.

nepg · 02-13-2012, 08:59 AM

This is just a couple politicians trying to make a name for themselves by going after a popular topic among Americans rather than focusing on real problems. Same as with what happened with baseball. Makes me sick.

zachsaints52 · 02-13-2012, 11:17 AM

But with a playoff you would eliminate the need for Conference Championship right? So that takes away another week.

I say make it a 16 team setup, where each bowl is sponsored by someone different (to keep sponsorship open.)

jrdrylie · 02-13-2012, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachsaints52

But with a playoff you would eliminate the need for Conference Championship right? So that takes away another week.

I say make it a 16 team setup, where each bowl is sponsored by someone different (to keep sponsorship open.)

No. I think you still need the conference championship. A sixteen team playoff would have the champions of each of the 11 conferences plus five at large teams with no limitations (meaning the rule where only two teams from a conference can make the BCS would be eliminated).

This year, the season could have started September 3rd. The regular season would have ended November 26th with each team playing 12 games and having a bye. Conference championships on December 3rd. Throw in another bye week to allow students to take exams. Playoffs start December 17th. Elite Eight on December 24th, Final Four on New Year's Eve, and Championship on January 9th.

keylime_5 · 02-13-2012, 11:38 AM

I wish our government would run our country instead of caring about something as inconsequential as sports. if they're going to be bothering with the entertainment business, they should go after George Lucas for what he did with Star Wars, not the NCAA or MLB.

jrdrylie · 02-13-2012, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keylime_5

I wish our government would run our country instead of caring about something as inconsequential as sports. if they're going to be bothering with the entertainment business, they should go after George Lucas for what he did with Star Wars, not the NCAA or MLB.

Like I said earlier, the Government should not go after steroids in baseball. But they would be neglecting their duties if they ignored the NCAA. Government funds support sports programs. It is the Government's duty to make sure that the NCAA is using these tax dollars to benefit all the member schools, not just a select few. Also, if the NCAA continues to be discriminatory to half of their member schools, they could have an antitrust issue and lose their tax exempt status, both of which are definitely issues pertinent to the Government.

Shane P. Hallam · 02-13-2012, 11:44 AM

Don't turn this into a government conversation please, deal with the playoff question. The antitrust chief feels they may be violating anti-trust laws, thus why it is being questioned by a whole 3 people in the government.

J-Mike88 · 02-13-2012, 12:13 PM

The BCS system is corrupt as hell, we all know it.

We're taught from a young age that games aren't won or lost on paper, that any team can win. Upsets happen.

Yet voters decide who makes it into their Super Bowl? Really? That would have prevented the Giants or the Packers last year..... I hate the system and it's amazing that the NCAA can keep telling us, with straight faces, that a playoff won't work, despite the fact that the they are the only ones who do NOT have a playoff.

Division 2, all the others, do somehow have time for one.

Corrupt. Stop it.

killxswitch · 02-13-2012, 12:15 PM

I am all for a playoff system and less college corruption but I don't think getting the gov't involved is the best way to accomplish either of those things.

DraftSavant · 02-13-2012, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrdrylie

I don't like the Government meddling in pro sports. I think that is a waste of tax money. But college sports I don't mind because the majority of schools are public universities that take Government funds. By having a bowl system that is inherently discriminatory towards 50 teams it becomes Government business. It potentially costs some of these public universities millions of dollars. Money that could go to giving scholarships to students, improving school facilities, and hiring better professors. It is absolutely the responsibility of Congress to do things in the best interest of all universities and colleges in their jurisdiction, not just the 66 (plus Notre Dame) that happen to be in a BCS conference.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

This this this this this this. The government is already involved, because this system rakes in government money by the boatload.

Here's a story on how VT lost money to play in the Orange Bowl: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/colle...ols/50582512/1

UConn lost money the year before (Fiesta Bowl), and Oklahoma likely did, too:
http://articles.courant.com/2011-03-...a-bowl-stubhub
http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/blogs/...117935239.html

Quote:

Oklahoma had a net gain of $9,350 from its Jan.1 date with UConn in the Fiesta Bowl, according to a school official and financial documents submitted to the NCAA.

However, the gain would have been a huge loss had it not been for the Big 12 policy of absorbing much of the cost of unsold tickets. The Big 12 absorbed 10,403 tickets at $1,884,250. The school absorbed 1,530 at $337,080

These are public schools that receive public money.

Ugh.