Evening star., 1954-01-09
Stand-Pat Program.
Causes GIN 10 BaIk
Al 81 Million Cost
By The Assoeiassd Press

S&NA41NNA44 44s O0lls os-O1l1CS0
the National Collegiate Athletic
Association changes It's policy
the chances are It win have to
get some one else to pick up the
"a million tab for televising
about q dozen college football
games next fall.
And It viii be several weeks
before the NCAA determines
just what its policy will be, al
though 1t appears committed to
the same game-aNweek program
which poured II single games
and o panorama show over the
network last fall.
The Associated Press learned
yesterday In New. York that
General Motors. which backed
the 1853 program to the tune
Of more than "a million. is 50 dis
pleased with the outlook 1t may
refuse to open its Golfers again
this year.
Would Want Top Games.
General Motors might 60 along
II the Nations top games could
be made available each week,
instead of being forced to accept
a set schedule. made up months
in advance.
Whether the NCAA would be
willing to change the formal is
problematical. A new committee
to set up the 1854 plans was
named today. It has slightly
broader regulations under which
to operate. But it still must
contend with a strong sugges-
ton from the 48th annual con-
vention delegates that the pro-
gram approximate that of 1853,
with games being broadcast
from all sectors-a feature
which could sidetrack the weeks
top contests in favor of a lesser
one due to the geographical re-
strictions.
]: Shober Barr Of Franklin
and Marshall College, one Of
the small college. representa-
tives on the 1853 Television
Committee, said today:
IF the check Is too big, in
General Motors opinion. maybe
we'd do well to cut the amount
given the competing colleges
which might not be a bad idea,
Some of. us have tried to
have the television rights grant,
ed free by the colleges as a pub
lie service, with the fees going
10 the Olympic Fund. the foot
ball and basketball halls Of fame,
and other things which we sup
port-but we've gotten no place
with the idea.
. I'm against regional televi-
sion. but we may have to come
TO that with different sponsors
In each area, or have multiple
sponsors If we stick with the
national program"
Must Await Action.
Asa Bushnell, Eastern collegi-
ate commissioner and 1853 di-
rector of the NCAA television
said when told Of Gen.
eral Motors attitude:
There's nothing we can do
now. The 1853 committee has
ceased to function. The 1854
committee hasn't been named.
And, after 1t is named. it must
formulate its program and have
it approved by a mail vote of
the colleges"
Bushnell said the NCAA, as an
association, did not receive the
funds paid by the sponsors.
"In 1851 we assessed each Of
the colleges 18 per cent of its
fee, but returned 6 per cent.
In 1852 we assessed IL per cent
and returned s per cent. In
1858 We assessed 7 per cent. and
we'll refund part of that. The
is used to finance our
Television Committees activi-
ties"
Worried About Pros.
Meanwhile. the NCAA had an
other television worry as 1t
the competition of the
Football League. DR..
A. B. Moore Of Alabama, NCAA
president. disclosed this when he
observed:
I'VE are deeply concerned with
professional footballs infringe
ment on the traditional college
football Saturdays. Our hope is
that the men who govern pro-
fessional football will sit down
with us and work out a decent
compromise"
The pro league last season
telecast Saturday night games,
and also afternoon games during
the first two weeks in December.
DR.. Moore said NCAA Executive
Committee representatives last
conferred with NFL Com
Bert Bell on the ques-
ton, but the meeting was most
unsatisfactory"
There was talk around the
today that, should q
compromise with the NFL not
be forthcoming. the NCAA might
retaliate in some way. Among
possible measures limited at were
that college coaches might be
from participation in
the Chicago AIl-Star game, that
announcers for professional
games be bounced from the col
legiate airways, or that a court
test be made Of the pro football
draft.
If and when any of the actions
might be taken wasn't men
toned.
Meanwhile, General Motors is
reviewing its television budget
and television sources doubt If
any other single corporation in
the country would want to pay
the big bill If General Motors