Ross Dellenger believes Big Ten deal with NBC keeps Notre Dame independent longer

The long-awaited Big Ten media rights deal appears on the horizon, and NBC is reportedly a big part of it. But the network also has a huge deal with Notre Dame, which has come up as a potential target for the Big Ten in conference realignment.

Wednesday, during an appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show, Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger said the deal is going to end up keeping the Fighting Irish from joining a conference. Notre Dame has had a deal with NBC since 1991 to air its games and the agreement is set to expire in 2025.

“It’s also good for Notre Dame,” Dellenger said. “NBC is having a bigger role in college football in that their only thing isn’t Notre Dame. Now, they have a bigger piece of college football, they are invested in college football, and I think that’s big for Notre Dame.

“And I think, Paul, it’s probably huge for Notre Dame in remaining independent. I think everybody that I’ve talked to in the college sports industry and within the TV industry has said this Big Ten deal with [NBC] getting a piece of the Big Ten only should keep Notre Dame as an independent longer.”

Dellenger’s comments came the same day Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick praised the pending deal between the Big Ten and NBC, which reportedly appears to be entering the final stages. NBC, CBS and Fox would reportedly all have a share of Big Ten games as part of the high-profile agreement after ESPN backed out of negotiations.

Swarbrick, speaking on a live chat hosted by Notre Dame, also said the deal will end up being a good thing for the Fighting Irish.

“I think it’s great,” Swarbrick said, via Blue and Gold’s Ashton Pollard. “The more major broadcasters we keep involved in college football, the better it is for everybody because they’re invested, they want to promote the game, they want additional properties. I think it was a brilliant strategy by Commissioner (Kevin) Warren. I think it played out marvelously for them. The timing could not have been better, and I think when they finally announce the number, it will be a pretty amazing one.

“But it’s also perfect for Notre Dame. We need NBC to have more college football to more effectively promote our games, to talk about our games and to have NBC be seen in that light. So that was great for us that they got a big piece of this.”