Notre Dame vs The World

[Chip]

You guys all miss the big picture, the entire point.

ND wants to end up permanently right where it is, a football independent.

It doesn't want to join, create, or stabilize a conference.

ND does not believe it will ever be forced into a conference.

Right after the playoff teams were announced, ND AD Pete Bevacqua said this:

"We love being independent in football. It’s part of our DNA,” Bevacqua said. “We have zero intention of changing that. It’s part of who Notre Dame is. Quite frankly, this further cements our independence. We are out there fighting for ourselves. That’s something we accept.”

Then why is he going on Dan Patrick and whining that the ACC didn't push hard enough for them? Especially then they wouldn't have to share a dime of that money with the conference?

While I 100% think ND should have been in over Alabama, that interview was embarrassing.

 

[CuseFan]

I'm all for ND joining the ACC as a full member. If they don't like the ACC positioning it's full members first, then simply join. Or GET OUT! I really don't much value to the ACC in the current situation. ND needs to schedule games against someone. If not the ACC teams, then fine.

Tired of ND wanting it both ways - value of a conference for all sports but football, and independence for football.

 

[JKinUtah]

so the ND AD is pissed the ACC was lobbying for a full member of the conference over a school who uses the conference solely for it's own good for non-football sports and is not a full fledged member. Oh the horror! Pound sand

 

[JustPherU]

Then why is he going on Dan Patrick and whining that the ACC didn't push hard enough for them? Especially then they wouldn't have to share a dime of that money with the conference?

While I 100% think ND should have been in over Alabama, that interview was embarrassing.

Why should ND be in over Alabama?I just can’t for the life of me understand the logic of ND having a better season than Alabama.Bama beat 4 top 16 teams in consecutive weeks and Notre Dame’s best win is Pitt?It’s just impossible to come to the conclusion that Notre Dame’s season was better than Alabama’s.

 

[Blanko97]

Sorry if i missed this but it seems clear to me ND to the BIG is imminent. If they kill the ACC deal ill give them 2 years of "true independence" before they breakdown and join BIG. I also think when they join the BIG start the process of pushing people out (bye bye Rutgirls)

 

[Chip]

Why should ND be in over Alabama?I just can’t for the life of me understand the logic of ND having a better season than Alabama.Bama beat 4 top 16 teams in consecutive weeks and Notre Dame’s best win is Pitt?It’s just impossible to come to the conclusion that Notre Dame’s season was better than Alabama’s.

Wasn't about the resume for me, was about who is healthier and playing better football right now. I think ND is. Alabama's last two games have been far from their best.

I'm not crying for them though. I think their AD is acting like a spoiled entitled child.

 

[upperdeck]

Sorry if i missed this but it seems clear to me ND to the BIG is imminent. If they kill the ACC deal ill give them 2 years of "true indepdence" before they breakdown and join BIG. I also think when they join the BIG start the process of pushing people out (bye bye Rutgirls)

ND created a schedule that could not get them in because they also lost to the 2 best teams they played.

Does that get easier playing Mich/OSU/Ore/Wash/USC/PSU in some mix every year?

 

[Blanko97]

ND created a schedule that could not get them in because they also lost to the 2 best teams they played.

Does that get easier playing Mich/OSU/Ore/Wash/USC/PSU in some mix every year?

I dont think it makes it easier, but it gives a clearer path in 16-team scenario where there are reserved spots. I just dont think you can eliminate the G5 spot, and ND will never qualify for that for obvious reasons, which means you are constantly fighting for any at larges they offer (which wont be many)

 

[FloridaCuse]

 

[Scooch]

Home games and road games are different, right?

Correct, a rights holder owns the home game broadcasts. That’s what NBC has for ND.

 

[Scooch]

Copy that. I thought maybe there was some crazy concession that they'd be in if they had 10 wins.

Doesn’t sound like there’d be any concession at this point given ND’s scorched earth Monday!

 

[FloridaCuse]

 

[Scooch]

You guys all miss the big picture, the entire point.

ND wants to end up permanently right where it is, a football independent.

It doesn't want to join, create, or stabilize a conference.

ND does not believe it will ever be forced into a conference.

Right after the playoff teams were announced, ND AD Pete Bevacqua said this:

"We love being independent in football. It’s part of our DNA,” Bevacqua said. “We have zero intention of changing that. It’s part of who Notre Dame is. Quite frankly, this further cements our independence. We are out there fighting for ourselves. That’s something we accept.”

Oh I think we all get the big picture. Everyone knows ND is all “Give me independence or give me death”. That fine, I don’t need them joining a conference.

But if that’s ND’s position then your AD should shut the hell up about your relationship with the ACC. You’re not a football member. The conference can lobby for your hoops team to make the Dance, don’t expect anything for the CFP.

 

[Scooch]

I didn’t think any school could look worse than FSU’s “we’re too good for the ACC” nonsense, but ND managed to easily top that!

 

[walsh2012]

It's about ESPN's exclusivity deal. ND is independent.

I for one love to see notre dame suffer the consequences of their own actions

 

[walsh2012]

That’s regular season broadcast rights. Disney (ESPN family/ABC has the rights to all CFP games.

Not all there is one on TNT/Max

 

[FloridaCuse]

 

[Rufus_13th]

 

[HRE Otto IV]

I find it funny how ND fans are acting like the ACC would collapse if they left. Both get benefits from the relationship but if anything ND gets more out of it IMO.

There isn’t an ACC rotation. ND likes that they rarely play the good ACC teams. It gives them an easier schedule while still giving the illusion that they have a hard schedule.

Why blame the ACC trying to get Miami in and the money that comes along with it? If they want to blame someone it should be the SEC for having Bama jump them and then stay above.

Where is ND going to go? True Indy they cannot do as it is too hard to get games the last 6 weeks. The B12? How is that any better than the ACC?

The ACC deal only guarantees 2 ACC home games a year. If ND left they would still likely play at least one ACC home games a year. It won’t be guaranteed but extremely likely. In the grand scheme of things what would that cost? Half a mil per team? Oh no!

 

[BillSU]

ND played 6 ACC teams this season: SU, Miami, NC State, BC, Pitt, Stanford.

For the math challenged, that’s a whole 2 games fewer than every ACC team played ACC opponents.

ND also played Arkansas, Boise State and Purdue this season. Any 2 of those 3 games could have been ACC teams. It’s not like ND needs to appeal to alums in Little Rock or Idaho.

ND will remain an “independent”. Even more so given the concession the CFP gave them starting next season. But it’s just so silly since they already are 75% an ACC member.

I hope the ghost of Gerry Faust possesses Marcus Freeman and they go 6-6 from 2026 until the end of time.

Notre Dame isn't in the ACC (or any football conference) primarily due to money and autonomy, thanks to its lucrative, long-standing exclusive TV deal with NBC, allowing them to keep all revenue instead of sharing it, plus retaining control over their national schedule and avoiding mandatory conference championship games, making independence more profitable and flexible than joining.
Key Reasons for Independence:

1. The NBC Deal (Money):
   • Exclusive Revenue: Since 1991, Notre Dame has had a deal with NBC for all home football games, keeping the substantial revenue instead of splitting it with a conference.
   • Generational Wealth: This deal provides immense financial security, with recent extensions through 2029, giving them a massive advantage over conference members who share payouts.
2. Autonomy & Control (Flexibility):
   • Scheduling Freedom: Independence allows Notre Dame to maintain classic rivalries (USC, Stanford, Navy) and schedule high-profile games nationally, something difficult within a conference.
   • No Conference Games: They avoid playing extra, conference-mandated games (like a conference championship) and keep all CFP/bowl money directly.
3. Brand Power:
   • Notre Dame is a massive national brand; they don't need a conference for exposure or revenue, as the money flows to them directly through NBC.

The ACC & Potential Joining:

• While the ACC offers some benefits (like access to conference revenue and playoff spots), Notre Dame's unique setup with NBC and their desire for schedule control outweighs joining for most fans and university decision-makers. They've even negotiated for partial ACC membership for other sports, but football remains independent.

In short, Notre Dame has found that being independent in football, fueled by their NBC deal, offers more financial upside and strategic freedom than joining a conference like the ACC.

Someone once told me ND is Americas Team - Bulls***!

 

[Millhouse]

ND played 6 ACC teams this season: SU, Miami, NC State, BC, Pitt, Stanford.

For the math challenged, that’s a whole 2 games fewer than every ACC team played ACC opponents.

ND also played Arkansas, Boise State and Purdue this season. Any 2 of those 3 games could have been ACC teams. It’s not like ND needs to appeal to alums in Little Rock or Idaho.

ND will remain an “independent”. Even more so given the concession the CFP gave them starting next season. But it’s just so silly since they already are 75% an ACC member.

I hope the ghost of Gerry Faust possesses Marcus Freeman and they go 6-6 from 2026 until the end of time.

They got entirely screwed

Alabama moron fans listen to and watch finebaum, ESPN took care of them

ND on a Tuesday night would make them money

I'm glad ND bailed

Alabama has the sixth best srs in the sec

 

[Millhouse]

If NBC didn’t renew their ND deal there’d be a line of suitors waiting to pay ND for their media rights. ESPN, FOX, Paramount, Netflix, Amazon, etc.

You think they're on the outside if they had a contract with ESPN?

 

[Millhouse]

who is notre dame to be so indignant as to refuse a high level bowl game? Yeah it sucks you didnt get in but its not like you really had much of a case. screwing those players out of practices and another game because you had your little feelings hurt. Go pound sand.

Third best team in the country

 

[Millhouse]

Wasn't about the resume for me, was about who is healthier and playing better football right now. I think ND is. Alabama's last two games have been far from their best.

I'm not crying for them though. I think their AD is acting like a spoiled entitled child.

Why should they provide ESPN with content

 

[SU68]

I still don't get why the ACC accepted the current deal with ND. Play 5 football games against ACC teams, and we will let all your other sports be in the ACC fully. Flying the field hockey, track, and so many other teams to South Bend is not worth the cost. ND basketball and lacrosse are usually good, but don't make up the difference in expenses for all the rest. So, what does the ACC get out of it? Better ratings for the 5 football games? It's not worth it. Maybe ND will be more receptive since they got iced out of the CFP.

Are you in or out ND? ACC should change the existing contract, or at least not renew. Well past time to force their hand.

This happened during realignment to keep FSU and Clemson in the fold.