Forde thinks they will stay independent for as long as they can and for now can remain so. If that be the case the ACC GOR would be the timeframe and potential destabilization of the ACC at that time but we'll see.
From the article:
āThe next decision,ā one industry insider told
Sports Illustrated, āreally rests with Notre Dame.ā That same person speculated the decision could come āin a week, or six months, or a year from now. We donāt know.ā
A source familiar with the schoolās thinking told
Sports Illustrated that āindependence remains the preference and the leader in the clubhouse.ā It will take a lot to move Notre Dame off its cherished identity, but the instability of the entire landscape remains a concern, and could further affect the Irish outlook.
In numbers that resonate with TV executives, Notre Dame ranks eighth in the number of non-bowl/playoff games watched in recent seasons by at least three million people,
per Sports Media Watch. The Irish had a total of 16 games with three million or more viewers in 2018, ā19 and ā21 (tossing 2020 numbers due to the disparity in number of games played across the nation). That ranks behind only Alabama (26), Ohio State (25), Georgia (22), Michigan (22), Oklahoma (22), Penn State (19) and LSU (18). Itās worth noting that every school ahead of Notre Dame on the list is a current or future member of the Big Ten or SEC. And the next four after the Irish are, as well (Auburn, Wisconsin, Florida and Texas A&M).
The guess here is the school maintains its independence as long as it can, through July 4, 2023, and beyond.
That only changes if the current structure continues to destabilize in a profound way. Which, hey, could happen. While much of college sports is waiting for signs from Notre Dame, the school can afford to wait for signs from everyone else.
The school has long had academic prestige, football and financial success and the autonomy of FBS independence, but will college sportsā instability affect that?
www.si.com