Timothy Epstein notes that the House Committee on Energy and Commerce--charged with regulating America's sports industry--will be conducting a hearing today at 10 AM Eastern Standard time on the Bowl Championship Series ("BCS") system. Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) calls the system "deeply flawed" and asserts that "college football is not just an exhilarating sport, but a billion-dollar business that Congress cannot ignore." Along those lines, Congress claims an interest in this topic because, along with the acclaim of a national champion, the BCS provides a financial windfall with tens of millions of dollars at stake for teams and conferences who participate.Though Rep. Barton states that no specific legislation is being threatened, the Committee wants a "comprehensive review" of the BCS system.
Here is the witness list (and a webcast link can be found at this link at 9:50 AM EST):
| Mr. Jim Delaney Commissioner Big Ten Conference Park Ridge, IL, | Mr. Derrick S. Fox President, Football Bowl Association President and Chief Executive Officer, Alamo Bowl San Antonio, TX, |
| Mr. William Johnstone Chairman Rose Bowl Game Management Committee Pasadena, CA, | Mr. John Junker President Fiesta Bowl Tempe, AZ, |
| Dr. Robert Khayat Chancellor The University of Mississippi University, MS, | Mr. Kevin Weiberg Coordinator, Bowl Championship Series Commissioner, Big XII Conference Dallas, TX, |