Heather Dinich reveals why Notre Dame isn't relinquishing its independence anytime soon

For all the nationwide panic when it comes to conference realignment, the Fighting Irish have continued to have their feet kicked up in South Bend. Per the latest from Heather Dinich, that isn’t changing anytime soon when it comes to Notre Dame either.

Dinich joined ‘Get Up’ this morning to talk all the latest on realignment. Once Notre Dame entered the conversation, she reminded everyone of the school’s solid claim to independence. She also shared that their athletic director himself recalled those points to her again just this morning.

“Notre Dame has reiterated its claim to independence,” Dinich said. “Jack Swarbrick has also said repeatedly, including again this morning, that there are three things that could change that. That’s loss of a broadcast partner, which isn’t happening anytime soon obviously, not a suitable home for the Olympic sports, also not on the horizon, and then, also, not a fair route to the College Football Playoff for the postseason, also not happening any time soon.”

All of these other programs haven’t had some of Notre Dame’s luxuries. Their television deal with NBC as well as their ability to make the playoff (two appearances in 2018 and 2020) has made it easy for them to step aside and let all the other schools and conferences duke it out.

In the end, Notre Dame moving to a conference is the result that Dinich expects least. She just thinks that, for that to happen, too much would have to change before that becomes a possibility for the ACC, Big Ten, or elsewhere.

“Nothing would surprise me more in all of this realignment mess than to see Notre Dame relinquish its independence, particularly to the Big Ten,” said Dinich. If we’re being honest? That’s where Notre Dame belongs. I grew up in Pennsylvania. I remember the Big Ten talking about Notre Dame, Penn State, and all those things. But the reality is they would have to pay the exit fee to get out of there. And relinquish that contract. A lot of hoops.”

Dinich predicts what happens next for the remaining Pac-12 teams

While on ‘Get Up’ this morning, Dinich also took a look at what’s left out there for the remaining teams of the Pac-12.

When it comes to the ‘Pac-4’, she expects to see the Beavers and Cougars find a spot, specifically in the Mountain West, sooner rather than later. As far as the Cardinals and Golden Bears, though, their next move, whether to the ACC or not, would be considered the next seismic shift when it comes to realignment.

“I would say Oregon State and Washington State should find homes pretty fast. I still think the most likely landing spot is the Mountain West,” Dinich said. “What happens to Stanford and Cal starts that domino. We’ll see what happens.”