The future of the athletics department at the University of Notre Dame may depend on how big the school’s next media rights deal is. Currently, the Fighting Irish are receiving $22 million from NBC for the network to carry all home games in South Bend. However, according to CBS Sports, school officials will be asking for a significant increase in that number from the next media agreement, with the $75 million number being reported between the university, and potentially, NBC. The current deal expires in 2025.
From NBC’s side in negotiations, the network is believed to be seeking, in addition to the Notre Dame package, other rights to “Power 5” conference games, with specifically the Big 12 and Big Ten being approached by network officials. With the recent decision by UCLA and USC to join the Big Ten by 2024, that conference’s next media deal could shatter the $1 million plateau.
Notre Dame, although it remains staunchly independent in football, has been working under an arrangement with the Atlantic Coast Conference to play a number of its game with ACC foes. In other major sports, including men’s basketball, Notre Dame is a member of the ACC. Due to the Fighting Irish’s prestige and geographic footprint in northern Indiana, rumors about a potential Notre Dame-Big 10 marriage have existed for decades.
