Jack Swarbrick: Notre Dame remains independent 'because of the value to the university'

As the latest round of conference realignment unfolded, an independent Notre Dame sat watching. The Big Ten has long “courted” the Fighting Irish, as On3’s Pete Nakos reported, but the university maintained its independent status as things unfolded.

All the while, Notre Dame was working to extend its deal with NBC — another indicator the Irish didn’t plan on joining a conference anytime soon. That came to fruition last month with an extension of the current contract through the 2029 season.

When announcing the deal, Swarbrick said independence was a factor in the decision to re-up with NBC. Wednesday, speaking at the Sports Business Journal Intercollegiate Athletics Forum in Las Vegas, he said Notre Dame’s independence is about “value.”

“We don’t do it because it’s financially advantageous or competitively advantageous, we do it because of the value to the university,” Swarbrick said, via FOX Sports’ Bryan Fischer.

Swarbrick — who is preparing to step down at the end of the school year — has long maintained the importance of the deal with NBC. The network has been the exclusive home of Notre Dame football since 1991, and the partnership has been a big part of the decision to stay independent.

But NBC also took another step into the college football space last year, partnering with the Big Ten alongside FOX and CBS for a multi-billion dollar media deal. Swarbrick said that decision also played a role in Notre Dame’s decision to extend its agreement because it meant the network was getting the rights to more games and the Fighting Irish weren’t the only football team playing on NBC.

“That was an important part of our decision, the fact that NBC acquired more college football rights,” Swarbrick said. “We were on a bit of an island.”

Notre Dame is preparing to go through many changes. For starters, Swarbrick is stepping down from his role as athletic director. Former NBC executive and former Fighting Irish football player Pete Bevacqua will take his place. In addition, university president the Rev. John Jenkins is also stepping down, and Notre Dame recently announced his replacement.

One of the priorities, though, was to get the media deal done. With it, independence would be solidified, as well.

“One of the great things about the extension with NBC that we’re announcing today is it helps ensure our independence,” Swarbrick said during the announcement. “And that’s so important for us because it’s the independence platform that allows us to do the unique things we do in Notre Dame athletics.”