Another example of a politician with waaaay too much time on his hands.
"Congress to Investigate College Bowl Championship Series
Posted by James Joyner at 23:09
Joe Barton, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee, has called a hearing to investigate the way college football crowns its champion.
Congress to look into 'deeply flawed' BCS system (AP)
Calling the Bowl Championship Series "deeply flawed," the chairman of a congressional committee has called a hearing on the controversial system used to determine college football's national champion.
A House Energy and Commerce subcommittee, charged with regulating America's sports industry, announced Friday it will conduct a hearing on the BCS next week, after this season's bowl matchups are determined.
"College football is not just an exhilarating sport, but a billion-dollar business that Congress cannot ignore," said committee Chairman Joe Barton, a Texas Republican. Barton's panel is separate from the House Government Reform panel that tackled steroids in baseball.
The committee announcement called the hearing, scheduled for next Wednesday, a "comprehensive review" of the BCS and postseason college football.
"Too often college football ends in sniping and controversy, rather than winners and losers," Barton said. "The current system of determining who's No. 1 appears deeply flawed."
Barton said he does not have legislation in mind to force a change, but said he hopes congressional hearings will spur discussion and improvements. It won't be the first time Congress has looked at the BCS. In 2003, the Senate probed whether the system was unfairly tilted against smaller schools.
I yield to few in my disdain over the BCS structure and my desire to see a playoff. My interest in this matter pales, however, in my disgust with Congress in constantly grandstanding on issues involving sports and the popular culture where they have no business involving the power of the federal government."
outsidethebeltway.com |
