ND open to joining a conference?

[Water Pony]

It appears that Notre Dame is thinking they may be need to reconsider their independence for FB, given Big 10/Pac 10 expansion possibilities:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... nference/1

[SMUstang]

If ND joins the Big 10 then there may be no change in the BE and no change in C*USA. The MWC could be decimated by an expansion in the PAC-10. It appears that TCU's decision to join the MWC may backfire on them.

[NickSMU17]

If ND joins the Big 10 then there may be no change in the BE and no change in C*USA. The MWC could be decimated by an expansion in the PAC-10. It appears that TCU's decision to join the MWC may backfire on them.

The PAC 10 will not decimate the MWC, they will not take BYU...

If MWC can hold on, they will be in perfect position for the next auto BCS bid

[SMUstang]

I am assuming that Utah and Colorado go to the PAC-10 and that BYU goes to the Big XII. In that case the MWC would be down to 7 teams and 2 out of 3 of their premier teams would be gone.

[abezontar]

I thought ND was making a lot more than 9 million on the NBC contract. Is that accurate?

[Water Pony]

Bleacher Report says, "not so fast,my friend."

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/3599 ... -the-irish

[SMUstang]

It will all come down to $$$. If ND can make more money in the Big 10 then they will go. If not, then no. We will see.

[Samurai Stang]

Unlikely.

[SMUstang]

If ND makes $8M to $9M from their NBC TV contract and the Big 10 guarantees $22M or more per school, then I think it is not only likely, but probable.

[leopold]

It's not probable, it's happening. Right now, Northwestern is making more money off of TV than Notre Dame. The Big 10 is King-Kong Daddy when it comes to revenue. Who posted the link showing 5 of the top ten schools in revenue are Big 10 schools? Also, the academics at Notre Dame want in the conference because of the academic ties.
But here's the thing -
I will bet money on the idea that someone at Notre Dame has had this thought:
LOOK, WE AREN'T INTERESTED IN THE BIG 10 RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE'RE NOTRE DAME AND WE'VE BEEN DOING IT BY OURSELVES FROM THE GET GO. SO LET THEM GO AHEAD AND TAKE A 12TH SCHOOL, MIZZOU, PITT, WHOEVER, THEY'RE LOOKING AT FINE SCHOOLS WHO ALL BRING SOMETHING TO THE TABLE. BECAUSE IF 5 YEARS FROM NOW WE GO 0-12 AND WE CHANGE OUR MINDS AND WANT IN, SINCE THE SCHEDULE NOW ALLOWS FOR 12 GAMES THERE IS ROOM FOR US AND THEY WILL LET US IN.

[EastStang]

The Big Ten Network gets a lot more valuable with Touchdown Jesus. They fit in the Big Ten geography. I think if they don't take it, they'll regret it later. You see once you move beyond 12 teams, conference scheduling gets a bit hairy. For example with 12 teams in CUSA we get Memphis 2 times every four years. Add two more teams that changes the algorythm completely. I think the Big Ten has told ND, they can't hold a spot for them any longer, its time to get off the pot. As far as the Pac 10. I don't know who they'd choose. The pickings are a bit slimmer out west. BYU has larger home attendance than some other PAC-10 teams and is the Mormon version of Notre Dame. Meaning they travel very well and do well in the TV ratings. Utah would make a natural partner for BYU. But they might look to Colorado or Air Force. Either way, the MWC is the conference that is looking at being picked at.