Conference realignment is back, and the Big Ten appears poised to add a couple of new programs.
Notre Dame apparently won’t be one of them. The Fighting Irish, who have remained dogged in their commitment to remaining independent, will continue to do so, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
“Any potential changes in the Big Ten are not expected to impact Notre Dame’s view on independence,” Thamel tweeted Thursday.
Sources: Any potential changes in the Big Ten are not expected to impact Notre Dame’s view on independence.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 3, 2023
Like almost anything Notre Dame does, this report from Thamel has sparked plenty of reactions on social media.
“The one major player outside the Big Ten/SEC is still committed to being Poland in 1938,” joked Sharp College Football’s Rob Bowron.
The one major player outside the Big Ten/SEC is still committed to being Poland in 1938. https://t.co/xgsEIHMIDx
— Rob Bowron (@beta_rank_fb) August 3, 2023
“This shouldn’t be surprising to anyone. Notre Dame is a unique brand that doesn’t need a conference,” said WV Sports Now’s Mike Asti. “Getting 100% of a media deal is better than sharing one. As long as teams can get in playoff without conference title (must since conferences aren’t equal), ND can stay alone.”
This shouldn’t be surprising to anyone. Notre Dame is a unique brand that doesn’t need a conference. Getting 100% of a media deal is better than sharing one. As long as teams can get in playoff without conference title (must since conferences aren’t equal), ND can stay alone. https://t.co/Q5ahCS1FQ7
— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) August 3, 2023
“Not a shock. They are too stubborn and will be independent come hell or high water,” added another commenter.
Not a shock. They are too stubborn and will be independent come hell or high water https://t.co/Hb5TCJ2Ul1
— Chad Alenduff (@chadalenduff) August 3, 2023
“It is awesome how livid this makes adult humans,” chimed in the CFB Watcher Twitter account.
It is awesome how livid this makes adult humans https://t.co/mn1nCyoRJR
— College Football Watcher (@CFBWatcher) August 3, 2023
“I don’t know how many different ways to tell folks that Notre Dame is probably the one school that will never have to join a league for financial reasons and loves the flexibility,” another person added.
I don’t know how many different ways to tell folks that Notre Dame is probably the one school that will never have to join a league for financial reasons and loves the flexibility. https://t.co/7Z9WzIXZEx
— John Maddox (@jmaddox_tgt) August 3, 2023
Notre Dame is a member of the ACC is almost every sport and already competes in the Big Ten in hockey, but the dream of the Fighting Irish sharing the same league as Ohio State and Michigan appears to be be DOA as of now.