Notre Dame AD: Independent status 'more valuable than ever' - ESPN

While college athletics undergoes sweeping changes, Notre Dame's desire to remain independent is constant, as Notre Dame leadership feels «as secure as ever» in its football status, first-year athletic director Pete Bevacqua told ESPN on Thursday.

Bevacqua, who began his new role on Monday following the retirement of longtime athletic director Jack Swarbrick, cited multiple reasons for the athletic department's continued sense of security. He said the university's most recent television deal with NBC, its partnership with the ACC for all other sports except hockey, and the new College Football Playoff deal all provide financial security. He also said he's «bullish» on the future of the football program as coach Marcus Freeman enters his third season.

«We are now in as good of a position as we've ever been in the modern era of college football to be independent,» said Bevacqua, a 1993 Notre Dame graduate who returned to the school in 2023 in an administrative role after serving as the third chairman in the history of NBC Sports. «You see all the conference realignment, you see everything that's happened, I think our position as being independent in football quite frankly is certainly more unique than ever, but also more valuable than ever.»

According to sources, in the new six-year CFP agreement, which begins in 2026, Notre Dame has the potential to earn roughly $18 million annually, which would significantly elevate the program closer to what the Big Ten and SEC schools will be making (more than $21 million). It would also boost the Irish ahead of the ACC and Big 12 schools.

Starting in 2026, Notre Dame is expected to get more than $12 million from CFP revenue distribution, which is in the same ballpark as ACC schools