Utah Senator Orrin Hatch tells Real Clear Sports that he plans to have another hearing into the antitrust implications of the Bowl Championship Series "within the next few weeks."
In the lengthy interview, Hatch, the ranking member of the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee, makes it clear that he disapproves of the way college football's power conferences attempt to exclude teams from non-BCS leagues in big-money bowl games.
"As far as I’m concerned there are antitrust issues involved here, and I don't think there's any doubt that college football fits as a commercial enterprise," he said. "These BCS schools — in fact all of the schools of any size — market there teams like they would a commercial product.
"In the case of BCS schools they receive substantial revenue in return. Some of them outside of BCS do too, but certainly they get an advantage if they play in a BCS conference. Also, it isn't just the schools and conferences that are involved here. There are the TV networks, the corporate bowl sponsors, and others as well.
"Our antitrust laws are designed to prevent people from acting in agreement and coordination to reduce competition. I think that’s precisely what we have going on with the BCS."
Hatch adds: "Like I say, I think there's a pretty clear case that the BCS is exclusionary. There's no question that the way they've designed it, has a negative impact on the schools left on the outside. So I think it's important for us to determine whether or not the system is legal, and personally I don't think it is."
Thanks to the Midwest Correspondent.
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