Notre Dame Football's Independence is not a Liability, it is a Strategy
- Brenden Duffy
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 4
Haters of Notre Dame Football have been loud this offseason (USC, Penn State, etc.) and bashing the Irish for their refusal to join a conference. We look at why a private school in South Bend, Indiana, remains independent in this age of college sports below:
Art by The Irish Tribune
The first reason, and perhaps the reason that is not talked about enough, is that Notre Dame’s independence helps maintain its status as a national brand. The ability to schedule anyone and play in different geographic environments can play a major role in recruiting. Just in last year’s regular season, the Irish traveled to Texas, Georgia, New Jersey, and Los Angeles, bringing attention to Notre Dame football from coast to coast.
With the control Notre Dame has over their schedule as an independent, it is easier to maintain rivalries, which contributes to national brand status. The future of the USC rivalry is in doubt following their move to the Big Ten Conference; however, future games that are set to ignite old flames include Navy, Michigan State, Clemson, Indiana, and Michigan. This scheduling freedom is not possible within the constraints of a conference slate.
Another reason Notre Dame maintains its independence is because the amount of money they rake in annually is comparable to power conference schools. Currently, the Irish make nearly $67 million in media deals, with $50 million coming from NBC/Peacock and the rest coming from their exclusive partnership with the ACC.
Additionally, Irish independence benefits the program in regards to the College Football Playoff. Notre Dame does not have to win a conference to earn a bid, and starting this season, they will be able to earn an extra bye in the CFP with the new seeding rules. Financially, the Irish earned $20 million from last year’s CFP run. On the other hand, Ohio State was forced to split its winnings among the entire Big Ten. Over time, these ‘extra’ earnings can put Notre Dame over the top in certain situations (recruiting, upgrading facilities, extending coaches, etc.)
These are just a few factors that allow Notre Dame football to maintain its independent status in today's ever-changing college landscape. Not every program is capable of pulling this off with the success that the Irish have, which is another feather in the cap for where Notre Dame stands in today's game.
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Notre Dame's independence is key to maintaining its national brand. With the freedom to schedule across the country, they keep their appeal strong in different regions, which aids recruitment. Their lucrative media deals and exclusive partnership with the ACC also make them financially competitive with power conference schools. Additionally, independence allows Notre Dame to bypass conference constraints, earning CFP bids on their own terms, which contributes to their success in recruiting, facilities, and program growth.
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Keep up the great work Marcus and all the associates