Why is Notre Dame "independent"?
2007-10-07 14:36:36 · 8 answers · asked by Gladicouldhelpu 2 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
Tradition and money. Notre Dame has flirted with conferences over the years, but it has always gone its own way in football. In the old days, it could play a more national schedule that way, with annual games with Army, Navy, and Southern Cal. There's still some of that, of course, but it wouldn't be able to have its exclusive tv deal with NBC with a conference set-up.
The conference advantages show up in other sports, in which Notre Dame plays in the Big East.
2007-10-07 14:53:54 · answer #1 · answered by wdx2bb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has to do with money. If Notre Dame was in a conference, all the TV revenue, bowl game payouts, etc. would have to be shared equally with the other teams in the conference. By being independent they keep all of the money for itself, and dont have to share it with anyone.
2007-10-07 22:05:48 · answer #2 · answered by kris76 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they are a private Catholic University...and even though since Rockne's days they have been tempted to join the Big Ten, they have always been independent...It is also not absolutely necessary for ND, because they have the largest national fanbase anyway...and their own TV contract...
2007-10-07 21:40:52 · answer #3 · answered by Terry C. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because their football team used to be a force that could stand on it's own and be a money making machine. It may be past that point.
They may have waited too long. They need to start winning more that one game for the Big East to let them join as their Basketball team has.
2007-10-07 21:50:35 · answer #4 · answered by Riggo 44 (Joe DeForest is the worst DC in history) 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have always been that way, plus they really like the very lucrative exclusive contract with NBC sports(one of the main sticking points of them never joining the Big Ten).
2007-10-07 22:42:24 · answer #5 · answered by C-Town Dawgs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tradition, they have so many different rivalries: USC, Michigan, Boston College, Navy, Army, Purdue, Stanford, etc, etc, etc, that they feel being in a conference would be limiting to them and they wouldn't be able to keep up their rivalries.
2007-10-07 21:47:18 · answer #6 · answered by Team Captain 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because they don't want to embarrass a respected division like the Big-10 by losing to App. St.
"Good" comeback Michigan fan, looks like fourteen year olds have a tough time controlling their anger lmao.
2007-10-07 21:43:06 · answer #7 · answered by St. John Bosco 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i think if they only win 3 games they should be forced to join the big east
USC guy. You talk alot of crap but
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2007-10-07 21:39:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋