Notre Dame Football on NBC: Soon a thing of the past?
“The only constant is change” is probably a phrase you’ve heard many times in your life. This saying also applies to football and never more so than the present. Big changes like expanding the playoff, legalizing NIL, teams moving to different conferences and the no sit-out transfer rule are reshaping the game.
Along with these on-field alterations, what goes on off the field is also changing. Massive TV deals are being made, and these deals are the financial engines that drive college football by guaranteeing revenue to each school regardless of on-field performance. Notre Dame’s longstanding deal with NBC is set to expire after 2024 and much negotiating is needed regarding what the future may hold in this regard.
Has the Notre Dame / NBC relationship run its’ course? Let’s examine this topic.
The NBC Deal Doesn't Represent What It Used To
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Notre Dame’s NBC deal used to be one that provoked envy and jealousy among other fan bases due to the notion that every Notre Dame home game was on TV on NBC, guaranteed, and their team’s games weren’t. Just ask Randy Moss who openly expressed interest in playing for the Irish for this exact reason. Being seen on TV nationally every week.
The reality is this exposure isn’t what it used to be. Now, teams I’ve barely heard of have their games played live on channels I’ve barely heard of. It’s no longer a “big deal” that the Irish have this deal in place since everybody’s games are live in the modern era. This realization and acceptance of it can open new opportunities.
The Product Itself Is Lacking
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It feels to me as though Notre Dame is not being treated as a top priority by NBC. Evidence of this is the lack of any power presence whatsoever in the booth by having a star announcer’s child announcing the games which gives them no gravitas at all and forcing Irish fans to log onto a streaming app for an actual game.
Both of these examples come off as “small timey” to me and, quite frankly, Notre Dame deserves better. Should NBC not want to negotiate a new contract in good faith, the Irish should look elsewhere.
The Numbers Gap
Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
In my opinion, the main objective of Notre Dame’s upcoming TV deal negotiations is to ensure the deal it secures allows it to financially compete with the Power Five conference deals. Seems simple enough in concept, but practically the numbers are jarring.
Currently, Notre Dame receives $22 million / year from NBC. For comparison, the new Big Ten deal will be expected to pay out around 90 million per year/ per team in the future regardless of on-field performance. Something must give. Notre Dame cannot afford to make 70 million less than other teams each year. It will simply fall so far behind in terms of resources that it will not be able to compete.
Reports indicate Notre Dame is seeking 75 million/year from NBC, which would place them at least “in the ballpark” to the Power Five conference deals. What is NBC’s position regarding this number? Nobody knows presently.
Other Options
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Should Notre Dame look into partnering with entities other than NBC, it should have options. What are FOX, CBS or even ESPN’s appetites for Irish Football? I’d be very interested in knowing.
What about “shoulder programming” where Notre Dame can have some kind of shared revenue deal blended in with a conference agreement with a certain channel? Notre Dame pulls TV ratings. It always has and always will. This should appeal to all even potentially interested suitors.
In Conclusion
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
This entire discussion exists due to Notre Dame’s independence, which the institution and I value dearly. To ensure the Irish can remain viable without joining a conference full time it must accomplish two things:
Ensure independent status does not hold the Irish back from expanded playoff entry. It seems this issue has been handled as the Irish will be eligible but cannot have a first-round bye as an “independence tax.”
The TV deal must keep it within reach of the conference deals financially.
Notre Dame has brand power. It should wield it proudly as it negotiates and explores many options to find the best dynamic for the Irish in the modern era.
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