So just how does the NCAA, blindly led by the BCS, choose their college football champion? Sure for the average fan the answer is on the field between the number one and two ranked teams in the country. But how does the BCS poll choose those teams?
The method is hidden from the public. No reason has ever been given why the choosing is so secret. Could it be for National Security? That’s what the Justice Department wants to know. And they are going straight to the top to figure it out.
BCS executive director Bill Hancock was summoned to meet Thursday with 10 officials from the Justice department’s antitrust division in Washington. Hancock spent an hour and a half making a case for how the much-criticized system works.
Hancock said the tone of the meeting was friendly and that justice officials asked about how the BCS operates, how teams qualify to play in college football’s five most lucrative bowl games, and its finances and history.
This, of course, on the heels of the Fiesta Bowl Fiasco where the board was requiring employees give money to government candidates. Then the Bowl reimbursed the employees for the contributions.
Initially the Justice Department wanted to speak with NCAA President Mark Emmert. However Emmert directed the department to the BCS. The DOJ then “requested” a meeting with BCS officials.
Hancock brought two attorneys to the meeting. This is stunningly curious. Why would the head of an organization that only crowns a college football champion need an attorney, let alone two of them. Hancock added he came away with no sense of whether he would be hearing from the Department of Justice again. He added that the department did not request any records or documents.
Obviously the meeting and interview was a fact finding mission. Now the investigation will begin. Expect the DOJ to turn over every stone and pebble to find out what is going on with the BCS. This could open a can of worms for the NCAA.
Critics and playoff proponents have begged the DOJ to investigate the BCS because they contend it unfairly gives some schools a preferential roadway to the title game and other top-tier postseason games. Meaning those schools have a better chance of garnering the money that comes with it.
Hancock and supporters of the BCS insist the system has benefited all schools that play college football. That would be their opinion. But let’s ask Utah, Boise State and TCU if the system is fair.
Department of Justice spokeswoman Gina Talamona declined to confirm the meeting took place. Even if there is no federal investigation, the BCS is already under fire from at least one state. The attorney general of Utah, Mark Shurtleff, has said he plans to file an antitrust lawsuit against the BCS.
A federal investigation trumps a state inquiry every time. And Utah will find that out. Watch for the DOJ to open up soon about what is going on.
