The ACC might have just saved itself from extinction while the Pac-12 arms up
When it comes to Notre Dame football, much is made of the fact that the program has managed to stay independent while the rest of the sport joins one conference after another. However, it’s not an understatement to say that the mere existence of the ACC has played a big part in allowing the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to go their own way as long as they have.
Because of this, the latest rumors surrounding the conference should be hailed by those in South Bend, as well as around the rest of the Atlantic Coast, and by a few people on the West Coast.
A new report by CBS Sports indicates that the rift formed at the end of last season between the ACC, Clemson and Florida State might be healing. The wounded feelings are being forgotten in large part because the conference is reportedly looking at a new revenue share model that would benefit the Tigers and Seminoles, especially. And, by extension, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
More money is a big part of it, but there’s also talk about shortening the current grant of rights agreement. The ACC's current grant of rights agreement with ESPN runs through 2036, but under the new proposal, it would be set to end six years earlier.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish would benefit as much anyone with ACC survival
All of this talk comes at a time when the Pac-12 is working overtime to make a massive comeback after being reduced to two teams officially in August. That conference has already added four Mountain West schools and is on the hunt for more.
There’s been more than a little talk that Cal and Stanford might consider returning to the conference they never wanted to leave, if there’s a chance it could return to power status.
Another big shift in the college football landscape could mean more teams bolting the ACC. It could also mean Florida State and Clemson leaving for real. And then, Notre Dame finds itself tied to a severely depleted conference.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish need the ACC to stick around almost as much as the full fledged members. Not only for football but also basketball and baseball and lacrosse and a handful of other sports. While the newest agreement isn’t official yet, Blue and Gold fans should be rooting for it.