(08-14-2015 04:08 PM)goodknightfl Wrote:  Senators need to stay the hell out of it.

They and any college officials leaning on them need to worry about what's on their own plates before trying to demand results for stuff like this.

(08-14-2015 08:09 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  

(08-14-2015 12:08 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  Even if we grant that the federal government should have some control over college sports via their financial aid (and to be sure, I don't believe that at all), the private transaction between the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV is an entirely different matter.

Precisely. Its an issue involving a subscription television service using part of the radio frequency spectrum. So it might feel like actual landline cable TV, but its not ... like terrestrial broadcasters, and unlike landline cable (which is technically a natural local monopoly, putting it in a different bucket of regulatory issues), its relying on a congestable public resource to go about its business.

Now, it seems like BS grandstanding regarding the use of that congestible public resource, but they are pollies, I take it from their behavior that they believe they are paid to engage in BS grandstanding.

You all keep forgetting that students pay fees to these colleges and university to support the athletic departments and activity. Most of that money is being paid for by Pell Grants and all that which is paid for by the tax payers. That means the government is already involved in the long haul. Look at the state of Virginia? It hurts any schools to raise tuition and activity fees to support sports programs from the state law makers. South Carolina State could be closed down, and sports to be killed by South Carolina's state lawmakers.
Penn State got off the probation from the Sundasky's case because the Pennsylvania lawmakers stepped in making threats against NCAA. NCAA did not have a spine and caved to the pressure.
State politics got Virginia Tech into the ACC and Baylor got into the Big 12.
Utah got in because the NCAA would have faced an anti trust law suit case against them.
Face it, the only answer when these snobs in charge of these colleges and universities would listen to the fans would be for us fans to speak up and complained to our lawmakers on these things.

Glad to know Congress only cares about those that are big...

Big corporations
Big banks
Big healthcare/insurance/pharma
Big Military Industrial Complex
Big pockets
Big collegiate conferences

Sounds like we regular Joe's and Janes should just stfu and let the free(?) market do its thing....'God save the Koch types!'

(08-14-2015 08:09 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  

(08-14-2015 12:08 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  Even if we grant that the federal government should have some control over college sports via their financial aid (and to be sure, I don't believe that at all), the private transaction between the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV is an entirely different matter.

Precisely. Its an issue involving a subscription television service using part of the radio frequency spectrum. So it might feel like actual landline cable TV, but its not ... like terrestrial broadcasters, and unlike landline cable (which is technically a natural local monopoly, putting it in a different bucket of regulatory issues), its relying on a congestable public resource to go about its business.

Now, it seems like BS grandstanding regarding the use of that congestible public resource, but they are pollies, I take it from their behavior that they believe they are paid to engage in BS grandstanding.

The radio frequency spectrum is regulated by the government, too. But the dish TV services don't use those frequencies. They use microwave frequencies. Which are also regulated.

(08-15-2015 08:21 AM)fresnofanatic Wrote:  Glad to know Congress only cares about those that are big...

Big corporations
Big banks
Big healthcare/insurance/pharma
Big Military Industrial Complex
Big pockets
Big collegiate conferences

Sounds like we regular Joe's and Janes should just stfu and let the free(?) market do its thing....'God save the Koch types!'

AT&T and the NSA are in bed with each other since they are spying on your calls.

Alright, since this has turned into a somewhat ugly political thread, I'm closing it. If you wish to continue to discuss the political philosophy/economic philosophy/etc. on this head to the Spin Room. If you want to discuss the idea of a DTV/AT&T deal with Pac-12 Networks feel free to start a new thread on it.