Congressional Hearings on BCS System

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,