Heather Dinich explains why Notre Dame has no interest in joining a conference

As the college football world is has been rocked by conference realignment, Notre Dame will maintain its unique position as an independent. The Fighting Irish have not been attached to a conference since they began competing in college football in 1887 and don’t intend on changing that.

Although most teams make money from TV deals that they split with other teams in their conference, Notre Dame has had its own contract with NBC since 1991. It recently signed a new deal with the TV network through 2029 that is estimated to pay around $25 million per year. The Fighting Irish also get a cut from the ACC, where it competes in sports other than football.

Additionally, Notre Dame is part of the contract with the College Football Playoff along with teams from the other nine conferences. With their brand value and prestige — 11 national championships — there’s no reason for the Fighting Irish to think about joining a league.

“Notre Dame does have its own line in the contract in all of it, ESPN’s Heather Dinich explained on The Paul Finebaum Show on Monday. “It does have its own protections because of its brand and its financial value that it has and that it brings to the College Football Playoff. And I know there are people who love Notre Dame, who love to hate Notre Dame, but the reality is that they are going to continue to cling to their independence.

“They have every reason to because, quite frankly, they’re in excellent financial position. Because in the new (CFP) contract they will be making about $12 million, which is right around where the ACC and Big 12 will be.”

The Big Ten and SEC will make $21 million while the ACC will make $13 million, so Notre Dame isn’t too far behind the other schools. Plus, there will be financial incentives for independent teams that reach the CFP.

That being the case, Notre Dame is in a perfect position to stay independent without having any financial impact. It will also not have to compete for conference titles and have the rigorous schedules that come with playing in a conference.

“They ditched the pot of money that rewards teams for making the College Football Playoff and that is basically going to the part for the Big 10 and the SEC,” he said. “But Notre Dame is the one independent out there that can get more money for reaching the College Football Playoffs. So, in addition to having some of those protections and the financial agreement, Notre Dame really doesn’t have any reason or any interest and looking elsewhere to join a conference at this point.”