When the ACC agreed to this "special arrangement" with Notre Dame, it basically took a lead pipe to its own knees (Tonya Harding reference). Not because it was necessarily a bad deal. The problem is the perception it created because the ACC claimed to be a "power conference" and it was still willing to make a deal involving 1 of the 2 important sports in college athletics (aka a revenue sports). It wasn't like the ACC was doing what the Big Ten when it asked Johns Hopkins to join its conference in men's lacrosse. Some people may even say the decision likely secured the ACC (perceptually) as the weakest among the power conferences because a power conference with any type of strength wouldn't need to agree to such a deal. Now I do think the ACC decision makers probably thought foolishly that Notre Dame would eventually join the ACC as a full member. Outside of the COVID season, I doubt that will ever happen for one reason or another. Any conference that think it can get Notre Dame can change its stripes is living in La La Land. Don't get me wrong, there have been some benefits to the relationship. I am just not sure the pluses out weigh the negatives in the long run. Particularly if Notre Dame would be "happier" to rejoin the Big East.