Why Notre Dame Should Join The Big Ten

By Author: JessK
Total Articles: 15
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It is no secret that the Big Ten Conference is desperate for expansion (like a NCAA football betting Handicapper waiting for the season start), hoping to expand to at least 12 teams, perhaps more, in order to hold a conference championship game, something that would greatly increase revenue for the conference. The main target on the radar for the Big Ten's plans, is college football's greatest independent, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame has a lucrative TV deal with NBC that earns them over two million dollars each season. It's also a guarantee for high ratings, and gives Notre Dame bragging rights that they are the sole college football provider for one of the United States 4 major TV networks. This deal is considered to be one of the main reasons that Notre Dame is considering declining the Big 10's offer. However, the Big Ten Network has grown tremendously in the time that it has been on. Although it is a far cry from network television, the revenue being brought in by the Big Ten Network, is close to equaling the same amount as Notre Dame's ...
... NBC deal. The Big Ten Network, especially if adding Notre Dame, is also considered to have a lot more growing and betting potential.

Many people do not take the Fighting Irish seriously due to their independence. Although Notre Dame does do a half-decent job with scheduling, it would be more of a benefit to the program to face the likes of Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan on a yearly basis. The new rivalries that could be built between Notre Dame and these other elite programs is also something that could be a boon to revenue for the Irish program.

The Big Ten is also expected to make a major push to acquire some of the top programs from the Big East conference. Notre Dame, while independent in football betting, houses their other sporting programs in the Big East. The Big Ten expansion, if goes as planned, would end up crippling the Big East, causing it to potentially fold. This would leave Notre Dame without a conference for it's other major sports, and it is highly unlikely that the Big Ten would allow Notre Dame's other programs to join the conference, while maintaining football independence.

It is time for Notre Dame to take the plunge and join the Big Ten conference. It will benefit their program on and off the field, placing them with a consistent talent pool, and generating more revenue in the long run. It will give the fans a reason to get excited, and get the United States talking about Notre Dame once again. There is no point for them to stay on the outside looking in any longer.