B1G about to have a "surprise" expansion.
- Thread starter Nebraska99
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Until the TV contracts expire after the 2023 season, there's currently no rush. But when all is said and done, Notre Dame simply can't survive as an independent in today's CFB World. The Irish's current TV contract with NBC pales in comparison to the cuts that the schools in the two Big Dawg conferences are getting.
So the only question is: Where do they go? If ND does something with the ACC, Big XII, or Pac 12, they would be leaving tens of millions of dollars on the table unless the other conference schools would all agree to give the lion's share of the conference's TV profits to ND in order for the league to remain viable (which I suppose is at least a possibility.)
But the most obvious choice comes down to the SEC and the B1G. And between those two, their choice is an obvious one.
- Cultural Fit. ND joiniing the SEC would be similar to Nebraska being in the SEC: It would be a huge cultural mismatch combined with a competitive disadvantage because all the top talent would be down South in everybody else's backyard.
- CFB Tradition. Like Husker fans, Irish fans are CFB traditionalists to their very core. The long history that Notre Dame has with many of the schools in the B1G (including Nebraska) has to be a compelling consideration for the Powers-that-Be in South Bend.
- Money. Notre Dame in the B1G is worth more money to the school than Notre Dame in any other conference, including the SEC.
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According to this article: NBC and Big 12 hold the price of independence for Notre Dame Football - One Foot Down
Notre Dame is trying to up their contract to $75 million a year. The article mentions that if they aren't able to, that is when they'll more than likely pull the trigger to join the Big10.
Notre Dame is trying to up their contract to $75 million a year. The article mentions that if they aren't able to, that is when they'll more than likely pull the trigger to join the Big10.
$75 million a year means they're asking NBC for 5 TIMES the amount of their current TV contract with network.
Good luck with that. I guess it never hurts to ask.
$75M is more than what the B1G pays per school today - but it is set to increase around the new TV deal - so I don't think B1G will be far off that under the new deal once in place - which increases in value if ND joins the B1G. So ND probably looking at $75M either way - just a question of what NBC wants to pay (and if being out of the super conferences creates too many problems for ND - scheduling, bowls bids, playoffs path...etc.)
Yeah I think that might be more of a decision than TV money. I'm not sure the new super conferences are going to be as nice as the NCAA was to ND. I think if you arent in one of the conferences you wont be getting into the CFP or a top bowl game. I dont think they will give two shits about ND when it comes to that if they dont join. And without that their TV appeal will drop also.
as they shouldn't. frankly..i hope they decide not to join then find themselves out in the cold. that won't happen though if/when it becomes a certainty that teams not in a conference don't have a chance to get into any sort of playoff.
I find it hard to believe that NBC would play $75 million a year to broadcast half of Notre Dame's schedule. This year's home slate includes: Marshall, Cal, Stanford, UNLV, Clemson, and Boston College. Clemson at ND is the only marquee match-up out of the six.
I suspect the BC v ND "Holy War" is the most valuable to NBC
Back in the days when Boston College was good, it used to be a good rivalry game.
The reality is that B1G schools make enough money that they all travel by private jets. From the players' perspective, what's the difference between a three-hour bus trip to Lawrence versus a three-hour flight to New Jersey or Los Angeles?
I just saw that ATX. I think both Oregon and Washington would be great additions to the B1G!
I'm willing to bet the 'source' of this 'preliminary discussion' leak is Oregon. Back in the day, Mizzou did the same thing.
My skepticism comes when you start looking at the revenue. No future expansion gives the current schools more money -- with the exception of one that involves Notre Dame. So unless it's a situation where schools are auditioning to join the league with the Irish, take it with a grain of salt. And for what its worth, If ND joins the B1G with somebody else, my money is on Stanford, not Oregon or Washington.
That original story about Oregon seems kind of click-bait. Who was having these "preliminary discussions" since neither the UO President, UO Athletic Director nor the B1G Commish was involved?
