Here at MSMDO, we try to avoid political discussions whenever possible; but when politics get into sports, we get into politics. I also hate to see the folks on Capitol Hill dabbling in the realm of sports (since they have more important issues to entertain...like this whole recession thing), but in this case, their involvement is warranted.Republican Joe Barton of Texas is set to propose legislation that will prevent the BCS from crowning a national champion under its current format, due to repeated "misfires". Rep. Barton cited the Southern Cal team from 2003, the Auburn team from 2004, and this year's mess as reasons for the new legislation. Rep. Barton said the bill...
"will prohibit the marketing, promotion, and advertising of a postseason game as a 'National Championship' football game, unless it is the result of a playoff system. Violations of the prohibition will be treated as violations of the Federal Trade Commission Act as an unfair or deceptive act or practice"
...thus making it illegal for the BCS and the NCAA to have a national champion without a playoff system! As I said before, normally I don't believe in mixing politics and sports, but this is something that needs to change. If passed by congress, it would be the most hands off way the government could handle the situation.
2 comments:
Wow, I could not disagree more with this. The most hands-off Congress could be would involve Congress not passing legislation regarding collegiate athletic governance at all. This is actually the extent (or close to it) of what the federal government is legally allowed to do.
Nevermind the fact that I disagree with the majority of the "playoff systems" being proposed. This is not Congress' decision to make.
Right or wrong...I don't care, just make it happen. If that means Congress has to get involved...I'm ok with that.
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