Will Notre Dame Play in the Big 10 in 2005?

[EddieIrvine13]

With all these teams moving, you may find Notre Dame playing in the Big 10 in 2005. I believe with all this realignment, the Big 10 will want to add a 12th team. In fact, they have already asked Notre Dame to join the Big 10 in the late 90s to no avail. Notre Dame's administration did not want to switch out of being independent because they get $7-9M a season for their TV rights and whatever bowl money they get. Right now they do not have to share that. If they joined the Big 10 they would have to split it. That is the ONLY major reason they are not in the Big 10 now. However, their contract runs out after the 2005 season. With digital cable and satellite TV coming into play, NBC will lose viewers just as all football on primetime TV has dropped. NBC is also going away from broadcasting football after dropping NFL. Notre Dame is their only football broadcast. If Notre Dame has a poor year or two and/or Ty Willingham leaves town, NBC might decide to not renew the contract. Notre Dame makes no bowl game and may have to join the Big 10 to stay financially successful. After all, all teams in the Big 10 dont do too shabby and have a great schedule each year.

If Notre Dame does not join the Big 10, there are rumors that Pitt might.

 

[Jaydog57]

Notre Dame joining a conference is inevitable and the Big 10 looks like a good place to go. They had a remarkable year under their first year coach and would only benefit from joining a conference like the Big 10.

 

[PhinKev]

I heard that Pitt is headed to the Big Ten. From everything IO have read, NBC is very happy with the Notre Dame deal.