Hearings started yesterday for HR 390 "The College Football Playoff Act of 2009". With all the problems this country is facing the Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee has started hearings on the possibility of a Congressional mandated BCS playoff.
Follow me over the fold for some of the craziness that unfolded at the hearings...
While unable to agree on a lot in the past 100+ days,apparently the two parties can agree on wasting tax payers time though this bipartisan legislation (Bill Sponsor: Rep. Joe Barton [R-TX], Co Sponsors: Rep. John Carter [R-TX], Rep. Gary Miller [R-CA], Rep. Bobby Rush [D-IL], Rep. Michael McCaul [R-TX]).
While not prohibiting the BCS playoff system, HR 390 would prohibit NCAA from calling the final game either a "Championship" or "National Championship" and making it illegal from "any person to sell, market, or advertise any merchandise related to a post-season NCAA Division I FBS football game that refers to the game as a championship or national championship game" UNLESS it is part of a single elimination tournament.
If this wasn't crazy enough, for congress once again to interject itself into sports, the committee hearings went off the deep end.
Barton, the top Republican on the committee, said at the hearing that efforts to tinker with the BCS were bound to fail.
"It's like communism," Barton said. "You can't fix it."
Barton quipped that the BCS should drop the "C" from its name because it doesn't represent a true championship.
"Call it the 'BS' system," he said to laughter.
ESPN article Here
After having ACC commissioner and BCS coordinator John Swofford testify, the sub committee had others including Gene Bleymaier, athletic director at Boise State. Gene once again argued that Boise State, blue field and all was unfairly passed over after having a perfect season for the Championship Game.
[Disclosure I am a Idaho Vandal, and despise everything Boise State]
With all the economic turmoil, questionable bank and other financial shenanigans that have contributed to this economic recession, The time of the House Energy and Commerce Committee could be spent elsewhere. If you feel like I do please take some time to contact your representive or one on this committee
Joe Barton
2109 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-2002
(202) 225-3052 fax
Email Here
Bobby Rush (D-IL 1st) Subcomittee Chair
2416 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
phone: 202-225-4372
fax: 202-226-0333