It's deeper - and actually more fundamental - than that. ND was fine with some concessions as they relate to facilities and fan experience, but not when it comes to player accommodations and academic integrity. For example - ND football players do not have their own dormitories. They live with the regular student body. That is by design. Until recently, they had to eat with the regular student body too (Kelly was able to convince ND administrators that football players needed a training table and because of practices may not be able to make it to dinner in the dining halls every night). They are also unwilling to add majors a lot of players are interested in just to get them to go to ND. All of this is sort of admirable noting ND was still doing well and again, one of fewer than a dozen teams to make the CFP since it's inception.