The ideal place for government involvement in sports is on the sidelines. The ideal rarely is met. Politicians use public funds to build stadiums. Government officials woo professional franchise owners with tax breaks and other subsidies. Without government involvement, Major League Baseball probably would not have been inspired to improve its testing for the use of steroids.

The Rose Bowl is where Southern California plays next if it beats UCLA tomorrow. What a pity. The “granddaddy of all bowls” pales in comparison to what the Trojans deserve—a chance to play for the national championship.