Why Notre Dame Should End Its Partnership with the ACC

📸 Credit: https://www.ndinsider.com/story/sports/2021/07/22/new-acc-commissioner-wants-notre-dame-as-football-member/8055858002/

In the ever-evolving landscape of college athletics, few institutions embody tradition and autonomy quite like the University of Notre Dame. For over a decade, the Fighting Irish have maintained a unique hybrid status: independent in football while aligning most other sports with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and committing to a scheduling agreement that includes five annual football games against ACC opponents. However, recent events have exposed deep fractures in this relationship, culminating in Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, publicly declaring that the ACC has inflicted "permanent damage" on their partnership. With tensions boiling over from a controversial College Football Playoff (CFP) snub, officiating controversies, and questions about mutual benefits, it's time for Notre Dame to sever ties with the ACC and reclaim full independence across all sports.

The ACC's Betrayal

The catalyst for this rift was the 2025 CFP selection process, where Notre Dame, despite a strong 12-2 record, was edged out by Miami and Alabama for an at-large bid. What stung most wasn't just the exclusion—it's that the ACC actively campaigned against Notre Dame, their supposed partner. The conference's official social media accounts highlighted Miami's resume while downplaying Notre Dame's achievements, a move Bevacqua described as an "attack" on their biggest football business partner. This wasn't subtle advocacy; it was a direct undermining of Notre Dame's playoff aspirations, prioritizing a full ACC member over the Irish.

Bevacqua didn't mince words in his response: "They have certainly done permanent damage to the relationship between the conference and Notre Dame." This sentiment echoes broader frustrations. The ACC's actions revealed a fundamental conflict of interest—while Notre Dame bolsters the conference's visibility and revenue through high-profile matchups, the ACC seems willing to sabotage the Irish to protect its own full members. As one analysis noted, the league's failure to implement better tiebreaker policies allowed chaos that indirectly harmed Notre Dame, opening the door for bids from lesser teams like James Madison. 

In retaliation, Notre Dame opted out of a bowl game entirely. This decision underscores a growing realization: the partnership, established in 2014, no longer serves Notre Dame's interests when the ACC treats them as an outsider during critical moments.

Financial Imbalance

At its core, the Notre Dame-ACC alliance was meant to be mutually beneficial. Notre Dame gains access to competitive scheduling and conference affiliation for non-football sports, while the ACC enjoys the prestige and viewership boost from games against the Irish. But data and expert opinions suggest the scales tip heavily in the ACC's favor.

Notre Dame drives significant revenue for the ACC without sharing playoff earnings. If the Irish make the CFP, they keep the full payout—up to $20 million—rather than distributing it among conference mates, as independents aren't bound by revenue-sharing agreements. Conversely, the ACC relies on Notre Dame's brand to fill broadcast slots on ESPN, its media partner. Ending the football scheduling deal would leave the ACC scrambling to replace those high-value games, potentially weakening their TV contracts and overall stability. 

Critics argue that the ACC's desperation is evident in their aggressive lobbying, stemming from fears of conference realignment. With power shifting toward the Big Ten and SEC, the ACC clings to relevance partly through Notre Dame's involvement. As one observer put it, "The ACC needs Notre Dame more than Notre Dame needs the ACC.” By exiting, Notre Dame could negotiate individual deals or alliances that better align with their financial goals, such as enhanced media rights or partnerships with stronger conferences.

The Path Forward

Skeptics worry about scheduling challenges if Notre Dame cuts ties—finding replacements for those five ACC games could be tough, potentially forcing matchups with weaker opponents. However, Notre Dame's global brand gives them leverage. They could expand rivalries while forging new deals with Big Ten, Big 12, or SEC teams for marquee games. Joining a conference outright isn't necessary; Notre Dame's independence is a cornerstone of its identity, and nothing in recent events demands change. But if they do explore options, the Big Ten makes sense. Either way, staying with the ACC risks further "permanent damage" and diminished returns.

It’s Time to Walk Away

Notre Dame's partnership with the ACC, once a pragmatic alliance, has devolved into a toxic relationship marked by betrayal, financial inequity, and operational conflicts. The 2025 CFP snub was the tipping point, but underlying issues—from social media sabotage to officiating blunders—reveal a conference that views Notre Dame as a convenient asset rather than a true partner. As public opinion on platforms like X overwhelmingly supports an exit, and with Bevacqua's meeting with ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips yielding no clear resolution, the Irish must prioritize their legacy. 

Ending the partnership won't be easy, but it will affirm Notre Dame's commitment to excellence and autonomy. In a college sports world dominated by super-conferences, the Fighting Irish can thrive by charting their own course—free from the ACC's shadows.

Go Irish!