I really do think this snubbing is going to be good for ND when we look back in a few years; and a turning point for the brand in the NIL / CFP / TP era.
I'm not sure exactly what's going to happen, but I think we'll remain independent but expand our P4 interactions in some way in the near future because it's necessary - All we have to do is look at next year's schedule - It's shit and it won't do us any favors if we maybe lose even one game, let alone 2 games.
Here's what I do know:
- We have an angry, experienced media rights lawyer by trade with a lot of experience as our Chief Brand/TV Rights negotiator and AD (and an Alum who knows what ND is)
- NBC has a slate of B1G games along with of course all ND home games
- We make buku shit loads of money that we get to keep for ourselves everytime we win a CFP game and make it to the next round
- As many have pointed out, P4 conferences, even the ACC are now all too big and they just don't have enough intra-conference good matchups - why we're seeing so much parity (may be an outlier season) where there are a lot of 1- , 2- and 3-loss teams that are left to some stupid, unknown tie-breaker system
- ESPN, the SEC, and the B1G have a lot of vested interest and control of the game and CFP process, the SEC conference is toughest narrative, and wanting to continue the CCGs (and keep imploring ND join one!), as something important to the game (and to their continued power and control) because they make shit loads of $, but the writing is on the wall, that these CCGs are kind of pointless if we're going to a 16-team field and will not be around much longer
- And all the conferences, esp. the SEC and B1G will agree to a 16-team field, but only with auto bids for the playoffs and lots of them for their conferences (another reason the CCG goes bye bye) and why then top P4 teams (see USC) will then be more comfortable playing tough OOC games like one with ND
- The SEC (and at least the B1G is likely to follow soon) is requiring teams to schedule at least one OOC game for many reasons but mainly because it's good for CFB, Media, and an expanded 16-team field in that we'll have more comparison data points
- And which team is the most available for great, featured OOC games? ND of course!
- We have the experience knowing how to set up a conference tie in because we did just that with the ACC which has been in place for over a decade now
Again, I'm not sure how the way forward is going to turn out, but hopefully Petey B, with his anger and experience, and the iconic INDEPENDENT ND Brand, and all the above current situation and leverage, ND can set up various levels of tie ins first and foremost with the B1G, but also hopefully, with the Big12 and the SEC, and maybe even keep ACC but make ND's new other sport conference the B1G, and downgrade the ACC tie in (or make one-off tie ins only w/ the best of the ACC (Clemson, Miami, FSU)) as punishment for their nasty behavior the past few weeks and for simply now sucking ass!
It won't be easy, and we'll need to concede some things (auto bids, $, etc.) but I think the way forward is to use all of ND's unique Brand and Independence leverage to get these relationships in place.
Just a few ideas:
- ND could bargain some of that top ass $ to go to conferences (of course within reason) in return for them making the tie ins. So maybe - just spit balling - each conference that plays ball with us, gets up to $4 mill. if ND wins the CFP Championship
- We can be flexible for when these P4 teams play ND in the season (it can't always be in late August / early Sept tho')
- Maybe NBC can help broker a B1G tie in
- Fox is probably happy to broadcast some B1G / ND key OOC matchups where the B1G school is hosting ND
It's mostly unchartered territory, and it won't be easy, but there is brand leverage, and the P4 conferences kind of need ND for a number of reasons including having great OOC games; and ND can then hopefully have a much better slate of games, being assured to get enough big games.
The fact is ND needs to do something to get a lot more big P4 games because that's what will get us in the CFP and what will command respect from the P4 conferences and CFP selection committee, and help to counter the strong ABC/Disney/ESPN juggernaut and power broker.
