More Woes for Marcus Freeman as $989M Windfall Risks Notre Dame Falling Prey to Prominent CFB Side

The Fighting Irish fought their way right to the finish line. When the emotions from losing the Natty eventually settle down, Notre Dame can take solace in their escapades to get there. Marcus Freeman and his program haven’t just fought battles on grass. They’ve fought prejudice, naysayers and most resoundingly, convention. The norm to be a Natty contender is to be a member of a Power 4 conference. Independent Notre Dame has shown there’s more than one path to the promise land. 

In the lead-up to the Orange Bowl, Penn State HC James Franklin took a not-so-subtle jab at Freeman. While the comments about his hairline and age made for more virality, one thing had an air of undermining. Franklin outwardly said all schools should be in a conference. Whether Franklin meant it or not, it was implied that Marcus Freeman had to deal with an easier schedule. Without being in a conference, Notre Dame has more free reign to pick their fixtures. Plus they played one less game than Penn State, who were in the B1G Championship. The external pressure of joining a conference is increasing. As a result, a new home is being touted for Marcus Freeman and his Irish. Their own fanbase has discerned which one is ideal.

One Foot Down, the Notre Dame community of SB Nation, saw an idea floated that gained traction within the Irish faithful. There is a suggestion that the school should consider joining the Big 12 if they do indeed join a conference. A detailed reasoning was provided, and the crux of it is conveyed in this excerpt. “In joining the Big 12, [Notre Dame] will join a conference freshly bereft of complete anarchy and could quickly step into a big dog role.” it read.

“A relatively soft schedule in most years, that would create an easier path to the playoffs.” The point about an easier route to the playoffs is undercut by the fact they made it through this year even though they lost to Northern Illinois. As an independent program, Marcus Freeman and Co. actually has the more straightforward route to the CFP compared to teams in conferences owing to the lack of transitive property between wins and losses. However, they are deprived of one perceived advantage, which the piece pointed out.

“Unlike independence, in this path you would give the Irish the ability to ride a path to a first round bye” it said. The top 4 conference winners are afforded byes. Something that didn’t work well for those who received it this year but will be a major net positive in the long run. The community-driven piece was relayed by Drake C.Toll of the Locked on Big 12 podcast. Toll discussed the potential of this move for Notre Dame with fellow CFB insider Spencer McLaughlin. Drake Toll pitched how the TV revenue that the Big 12 garners from TNT is comparable to what ESPN shares with members of the SEC. Both Toll and McLaughlin reached a similar conclusion.

McLaughlin mentioned how this will be a “financial home run” and “iconically fantastic” for the Big 12 and its commissioner Brett Yoramark. “It would be the greatest move you could possibly pull off… If somehow Brett Yormark pulls the biggest rabbit out of the biggest hat that you could find” he said. However, they were in unison that this is too good to be true. Not because the Big 12 isn’t a good enough proposition, but because being independent has proven extremely beneficial for Notre Dame. Marcus Freeman couldn’t bring hardware to South Bend. His efforts, though, have raked in very significant money.

Marcus Freeman’s success pushes Notre Dame to remain independent

Listening to James Franklin talk about their independence, Marcus Freeman must’ve been sitting there thinking, “They hate us because they ain’t us”. Independent Notre Dame’s pockets are filling more than any football program in the country. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how, using national champions Ohio State as a reference point. Neither team had a bye, so they played an equal amount of games to get to the national championship. 

Before kickoff, surely they received the same monetary reward for reaching Atlanta? Not quite. The CFP pays conferences depending on how far a member makes it a round. $20 million has been given to the Big 10 thanks to Ohio State alone, plus more for PSU and Oregon. $4 million for firstly making the CFP. Then an additional $4 million for making round 2, and then $6 million each for making the semis and the championship. That’s $20 million, which is divided among the 18 B1G schools. Just over a million received for their personal efforts. Notre Dame gets the entire $20 million to themselves. This figure takes their gaudy net worth from $969 million to $989 million.

It’s pretty straightforward that Notre Dame won’t be actively seeking to join a conference unless it’s mandatory. Marcus Freeman will face the music for a decision his employers made, being the face of the program. But that wouldn’t bother him. This money won’t all actually go into the football program, which Freeman won’t be too happy about. Notre Dame, the school, can use it as they please. It’s noteworthy that while the Irish are making significantly more than their adversaries, it won’t be like this every year. If they have a poor season, Notre Dame may even make less money than they would’ve by being in a conference. It’s a risk they’re riding along too willingly. With a coach like Marcus Freeman leading the charge, the success is sustainable.