http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/12687984/independence-isnt-free-just-ask-notre-dame

Pretty harsh article... I didn't realize that each Big 10 school gets more for their TV contracts than ND does... interesting.

This will certainly get a rise out of ND fans on here.

*grabs popcorn*

Yeah I've said before that I think a conference would help them, but I get mocked by some of the Notre Dame fans. My point is that when a team gets a few losses and is eliminated from the Championship picture, they have something to aim for in a conference championship. When Notre Dame loses what else kind of goal can they set?

I don't think remaining independent is sinking the program. The botched coaching searches and subsequent hires have contributed more to the program sinking than anything else IMO. And "out-athleted by Navy"??? Riiiight.

Anyways, there was a time when Notre Dame wanted to join the Big 10. The Big 10 rejected ND then. Some apparently forget that.

For the record.....I've stated before that I'd like to see ND join the Big 10.

:repares to be called thin-skinned for responding::

killer_ewok wrote: I don't think remaining independent is sinking the program. The botched coaching searches and subsequent hires have contributed more to the program sinking than anything else IMO.

agreed

Get a rise out of Notre Dame fans? I tend to not get too fired up over something from cbssports.com...

Mr Pat wrote:I tend to not get too fired up over something from cbssports.com...

Bingo!

IMO, that's just another hack/hate article used to get hits on their website. When thing are good or bad in South Bend, these hacks can always count on ND to genrate them some revenue.

Yeah, I think the ND fan base (collectively) on here get a bad rap. Sure, there are a few hot heads but I think that could be said for some of the fans of every team on here. I think the majority of us on here are pretty level-headed and logical. Some paint us with this brush though.......

I didn't read the entire article, but I'll make a few points, and might be wrong:

1. The Big 10 network covers all sports, not just football. I don't know what Notre Dame gets for being in the Big East in other sports, but that has to be factored in

2. When a team makes a bowl, they split the money they receive with the conference. Obviously this year Notre Dame isn't making any money off of a BCS bowl, but if they do, which they think they can, instead of splitting $20 million with a conference, they keep it all.

3. Being independent always them to play all across the country instead of one region. That caters to their alums, as well as potential recruits.

4. They are on national TV every single home game. If they join a conference, that won't be the case. That could hurt recruiting, and doesn't suit their egos.

http://www.ndnation.com/blog/2009/12/no-means-no.html

At this point in time...Missouri brings a whole lot more to the table than ND. I know this might change because ND's ceiling is higher. ND already plays 3-4 Big Ten teams every year so the blogger's argument doesn't make sense about ND being national. you still get 4 OOC games to go wherever you wish. Play USC, Boston College, Oklahoma, and FSU.....you have covered the entire nation.

2. When a team makes a bowl, they split the money they receive with the conference. Obviously this year Notre Dame isn't making any money off of a BCS bowl, but if they do, which they think they can, instead of splitting $20 million with a conference, they keep it all.

That's a common thought...but it's incorrect. ND gets $1 million from the BCS when they don't make a BCS game. When they DO make a BCS game, ND gets $4.5 million...the equivalent of a second place team in a conference. ND used to get around $11 million if they made a BCS bowl...but things have been restructured.

3. Being independent always them to play all across the country instead of one region. That caters to their alums, as well as potential recruits.

Bingo! Rather than limiting 5/6 of the schedule to the same part of the country...ND can play out West, down South, and in the Midwest.

4. They are on national TV every single home game. If they join a conference, that won't be the case. That could hurt recruiting, and doesn't suit their egos.

Don't forget that even if ND is away...they are basically on National TV, too. They always show ND games because they know it brings in tons of viewers.

I thought I might be wrong about the Bowl game payout, but still pretty good.

sherm03 wrote:That's a common thought...but it's incorrect. ND gets $1 million from the BCS when they don't make a BCS game. When they DO make a BCS game, ND gets $4.5 million...the equivalent of a second place team in a conference. ND used to get around $11 million if they made a BCS bowl...but things have been restructured.

You can thank the former AD, Kevin White for that bone head move, one of many he made during his time at ND.

Greg Doyel wishes he was Jason Statham

I hope they stay Indy.

Anyways, there was a time when Notre Dame wanted to join the Big 10. The Big 10 rejected ND then. Some apparently forget that

Yeah, like 100 years ago? How about in 1999? Or now?

I just thought that was a dumb comment, and pointless to bring up when you are being offered to join now, and your excuse is "well we wanted too back in the day" LOL

sleeper wrote:

Anyways, there was a time when Notre Dame wanted to join the Big 10. The Big 10 rejected ND then. Some apparently forget that

Yeah, like 100 years ago? How about in 1999? Or now?

I just thought that was a dumb comment, and pointless to bring up when you are being offered to join now, and your excuse is "well we wanted too back in the day" LOL

The point was that if the Big 10 would not have given ND the finger back when they wanted to join.....we wouldn't be having this discussion. I mean, people rip ND for shunning the Big 10, but who shunned who first? The Big 10 had their reasons for keeping ND out then and now ND has their reasons to decline their invitation to join the conference.

Again, I would like to see ND join the Big 10. I don't see it happening though.

ND not being on TV every game will NOT hurt their recruiting. It doesn't hurt anybody else in the country. I highly doubt that recruits are watching every single ND game anyways.

jpake1 wrote: ND not being on TV every game will NOT hurt their recruiting. It doesn't hurt anybody else in the country. I highly doubt that recruits are watching every single ND game anyways.

That's not the point. ND's TV deal is a great selling point to recruits because they're home games are on national TV every week and not on a regional basis. Even ND's away games have been picked up nationally by ESPN/ABC, no one else can claim that. It's true that just about every single CFB program gets air time but it's regional for the most part and sometimes you have to pay to see some games.

sleeper wrote:Yeah, like 100 years ago? How about in 1999? Or now?

I just thought that was a dumb comment, and pointless to bring up when you are being offered to join now, and your excuse is "well we wanted too back in the day" LOL

It's not an excuse, ND feels they are just fine as an independant. What I think is dumb is that you make these ridiculous claims when it's the Big 10 who has a hard on for ND to join and not the other way around.

what is Notre Dames argument for staying independent? I too would like to see them join the Big 10

rock_knutne wrote:

sleeper wrote:Yeah, like 100 years ago? How about in 1999? Or now?

I just thought that was a dumb comment, and pointless to bring up when you are being offered to join now, and your excuse is "well we wanted too back in the day" LOL

It's not an excuse, ND feels they are just fine as an independant. What I think is dumb is that you make these ridiculous claims when it's the Big 10 who has a hard on for ND to join and not the other way around.

That's fine, as long as ND is willing to remain mediocre, which seems to be all it takes to retain a delusional fan base.

sleeper wrote:

rock_knutne wrote:

sleeper wrote:Yeah, like 100 years ago? How about in 1999? Or now?

I just thought that was a dumb comment, and pointless to bring up when you are being offered to join now, and your excuse is "well we wanted too back in the day" LOL

It's not an excuse, ND feels they are just fine as an independant. What I think is dumb is that you make these ridiculous claims when it's the Big 10 who has a hard on for ND to join and not the other way around.

That's fine, as long as ND is willing to remain mediocre, which seems to be all it takes to retain a delusional fan base.

Delusional? I prefer "loyal."