Anti-trust question

[sj4]

If there's someone on the board that knows the subject.... Is it possible that if the big ten, sec and the tv networks execute all of this in a certain way that there would end being a case that could be made for anti-trust legal action to be taken against them?

And I would ask this question even if we all end up being happy with how Iowa State ends up. Which I think we will.

 

[JM4CY]

Im curious too. Some on here claim to be attorneys. Maybe they’ll weigh in.

 

[hoosman]

All professional sports leagues are subject to anti-trust laws EXCEPT MLB. It was given an antitrust exemption about 100 years ago.

The Role of Antitrust Laws in the Professional Sports Industry From a Financial Perspective

Submitted by: Howard Bartee, Jr. Abstract This research paper examines how antitrust laws have played a role in shaping the financial operations of the professional sports industry of today. Different aspects of economical, historical, governmental, cultural and financial perspectives have...

thesportjournal.org

 

[Kinch]

Both conferences are treading on thin ice now, especially if you can prove tortuous interference in contracts. If the SEC and Big 10 institute their own playoff, no question they are.

 

[Mr Janny]

I'm not sure how schools changing conferences would constitute an anti trust violation. Now, going forward, if say the Big 10 and SEC ended up taking all but 10 power 5 schools and then formed their own league, locking out all others from participating, that might be closer to antitrust, but that hasn't happened yet, and you can bet that if it is in the cards, the powers that be will proceed with the advice of a platoon of lawyers, specifically looking to avoid antitrust traps.

 

[CydeofFries]

Could anti trust come into play for Fox/ESPN? From people speculating that it's going to be B12/B1G for Fox and ACC/SEC for ESPN to block out the streaming companies that seems to be where it could maybe come into play?

 

[Mr Janny]

Could anti trust come into play for Fox/ESPN? From people speculating that it's going to be B12/B1G for Fox and ACC/SEC for ESPN to block out the streaming companies that seems to be where it could maybe come into play?

I don't know what will happen, but I'm fairly confident that people shouldn't hold their breath waiting for ESPN to get their comeuppance for meddling in college sports. That's just not going to happen.

 

[CydeofFries]

I don't know what will happen, but I'm fairly confident that people shouldn't hold their breath waiting for ESPN to get their comeuppance for meddling in college sports. That's just not going to happen.

No I know that, but Fox and ESPN trying to secure all the tier 1/2 rights to every major conference to prevent any other competitor from getting in the game feels awfully close too anti trust

 

[Kinch]

Any anti trust action depends on whose ox is being gored. I would think Oregon and Washington might make some noise in that direction in the unlikely event the Big 10 doesn't select them and the Big 12 gobbles up four. Doubt that happens, but if it does, their Senators might ask the Biden administration to look into it.

 

[Mr Janny]

Any anti trust action depends on whose ox is being gored. I would think Oregon and Washington might make some noise in that direction in the unlikely event the Big 10 doesn't select them and the Big 12 gobbles up four. Doubt that happens, but if it does, their Senators might ask the Biden administration to look into it.

Look into what, though? The Big 10, with new additions, comprises about a quarter of all power 5 teams. Oregon doesn't have any sort of legal expectation for being in the Big 10 or any specific conference with the possible exception of the PAC 12, which they're still in. I'm not sure what legal harm they'd be able to articulate.

 

[Cloneon]

Could anti trust come into play for Fox/ESPN? From people speculating that it's going to be B12/B1G for Fox and ACC/SEC for ESPN to block out the streaming companies that seems to be where it could maybe come into play?

Interesting sky cam perspective. 'Preventing' other media competition at the league level could be construed as illegal, yet zooming down to the University level and damaging their future income isn't. We're in a world of perspective and who holds the reigns on hiding their illegal schemes.