By Shelley Kofler, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-907148.mp3
Dallas, TX – Congressman Joe Barton of Ennis says he may ask for a Congressional committee to conduct hearings about the pending shakeup in college athletic conferences.
Barton says the expected defection of Texas teams from the Big 12 and its likely collapse is a result of the bowl championship series and television money. Barton says not all teams have the same opportunities and that's not fair.
"If you had a play off and every team could have a chance to participate in that playoff and ultimately the revenue in it you wouldn't be having the shakeup in the conferences you're having today," said Baron. "My committee has jurisdiction over sports. I might encourage the chairman to hold a hearing on what's going on."
Barton suggested the hearings while attending the state GOP convention this weekend. He's the ranking Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee which oversees interstate commerce.
Texas A&M; the University of Texas; Texas Tech and Baylor are members of the Big 12 and are expected to announce conference plans this week.