Join the conversation [ADD A COMMENT]

View our commenting policy and standards | Commenting FAQ | Report a problem

1. Zman | September 13, 2012 at 2:39 pm

   Read it all.

   I think ND did have to make a move. You guys are looking at it wrong. If you turn the discussion 180 degrees you might consider that the Big East is essentially dead. For anything other than football to have any credibility at all they had to depart. The fact that gave the ACC a 5 game guarantee is something they have never ever given anyone before. This is a fairly large slice of the ND football goldmine.

   I am actually surprised that the Big 10 didn’t go for it and would love to know the backstory. You can all say that ND is some sort of dictatorial program and so on as you like but you could also say they bribed their way in with 5 big paydays.

   As far as that goes, perhaps you recall the Metro Conference? Look it up sometime and see how both VT and Louisville behaved. ND is not the first, or only, team to ever be a partial participant in a conference.

   The deal certainly helps preserve the ACC and may even push it to being the first Super Conference. I say the ACC goes to 18 before it drops to 14 again or expands to 16.

   I would also bet that ND wanted some form of guarantee that it wouldn’t be part of a dissolving conference and that the $50 million exit fee was the easiest way to discourage departures.

   I am a ND “hater” and love to see them lose almost as much as I love seeing the Dallas Cowgirls lose. But I am realistic enough to see that they carry a ton of cache’ because of their fan base and TV contract.

   This deal is clearly a win-win crafted by very smart people with an eye to the future. This was not some random deal created by desperate dummies.

   Open your analytical minds people!
2. Zman | September 13, 2012 at 2:42 pm

   And BTW, ND exempted ice hockey too. The ACC doesn’t play that game.
3. Dan | September 13, 2012 at 4:05 pm

   I totally agree with you Zman, and don’t forget the brand recognition that they bring. When you hear the words “Notre Dame” you automatically think football, not so much for the acronym “ACC”. The addition of Notre Dame even in this partial manner brings an instant credibility upswing to ACC football on a national level. Not only was this a well thought out move, but from all appearances, one that has been long in the making. This was not a knee jerk reaction by either side.
4. Rob Thommins | September 13, 2012 at 4:10 pm

   2.And BTW, ND exempted ice hockey too. The ACC doesn’t play that game

   Hey, if the money is right Tech could put together a team and
   play on the duck pond.
5. AZ Hokie | September 13, 2012 at 5:41 pm

   Tech actually has club Hockey team (or did) back in 99-03 when I was there. Bunch of my buddies played and few of their hockey jerseys are displayed in the bars downtown! Is is Saturday yet?…