Swarbrick on NBC deal: “We need the financial resources to compete with the schools in the Big Ten and SEC…As we enter into new negotiations, we have a very specific goal." More on NBC: “I feel especially good with their Big Ten partnership. We’re better if they have more inventory.” Swarbrick on realignment: “We have all the ingredients. It’s a great time to be independent, and we’ll take advantage of it.”

ON THE GOAL AROUND THE NEW NBC DEAL AS THE CURRENT DEAL EXPIRES IN 2025… Well, the first goal, we're talking to NBC because we have an opportunity to do that right now, but what we need from our media partner that NBC has done so well historically, is through, A, broadcast us nationally. Every game. And, B, give us an opportunity to promote Notre Dame. 'What would you fight for?' ads are a great example. No one else is getting 90-second PSA's. The opportunity to just see campus and the way they cover our games, and helps people understand more about Notre Dame. So, that's number one. It's our committed partner to our message and in conveying about Notre Dame. Secondly, we need the financial resources to compete with the schools in the Big 10 and the SEC. And that's a given here, that as we enter into new negotiations, we have a very specific goal of making sure we reach those levels because we want to compete. ON THE CLIMATE SURROUNDING THESE DISCUSSIONS… I am encouraged. I think that one of the reasons to be encouraged is that everybody who does broadcast agreement, to the NFL or anybody, understands that part of their inventory will be streamed, mostly carried on regular television. And NBC with Peacock is a great streaming partner. And so, we found that out with the games we've done already, and we look forward to continuing to work with Peacock, but you have to have that component. So, they have it. And we have such a long relationship, right? It goes back so long. And it's so important to both companies. And then lastly, I feel especially good with their Big 10 partnership because we are better if they have more college football inventory. There'll be cross promotion, and it'll create a better environment as opposed to being very limited football inventory on NBC. We're now part of a much larger package. ON THE LATEST AROUND CONFERENCE REALIGNMENT AND NOTRE DAME’S INDEPENDENCE… Well, there's a lot of attention right now on the Pac 12's media rights discussion. And a lot of speculation that if that doesn't go well, there may be another phase of realignment here perhaps with some PAC 12 schools moving elsewhere. I don't know if that's the case. But it is a very hot topic right now. And there's a lot of speculation surrounding it. I've never felt better about our independent status, both its value to the university and our ability to maintain it. The expansion to College Football Playoff, 12-team playoff with six at large positions, gives us a fair opportunity to get into the post-season. The opportunity to have a committed broadcast partner, like I just discussed, gives us an opportunity to stay independent. And finally, the question of whether we can build the schedules we need to build. And that has never been an issue and it's not now. I've yet to place a phone call to a colleague and asked if they were interested in playing where they didn't say yes, so we have all the ingredients. Frankly, it's a great time to be independent, and we're going to take full advantage of it. ON THE POTENTIAL OF PLAYING PLAYOFF GAMES LATE SOUTH BEND IN LATE DECEMBER… You know, we have we have some experience. We hosted the Winter Classic, for example, the NHL. We learned a lot from that. But it starts with the playing surface. We'd have to heat the playing surface to ensure it was adequately safe for the participants. Most of the rest of what we have to focus on relates to mechanical issues, if you will. Make sure concession stands can be opened without pipes freezing, the restrooms. And so, there'll be a lot of that sort of work which will be required. The rest of it, we're in good shape.

“With regard to scheduling challenges: “ no school has ever answered my call to schedule a game with a ‘no’”.

thrive, if the Sweet 16 in basketball starts getting paid out like the football playoff 12 and if Florida State, Miami, Clemson and Virginia Tech all become playoff teams like they were in the 90’s and early 00’s. If not, it will take at least 8 at one time to go to the B1G and SEC, but quite frankly if the first two things I listed don’t happen, it’s not that far fetched. UNC, UVA, GT and Miami to the B1G. FSU, Clemson, NC State and Virginia Tech to the SEC. Notre Dame stays Independent and switches the ACC 5 for the SEC 5, while doing 5 with the B1G too. That’s a long way from where we are now, but not crazy if the Dominoes start to fall.

Dook bball, like Kansas bball, are brands that carry a ton of weight. I guess the question is...does Dook still look appealing without Coach K. Guess we'll find out in next 3-4 years.

Which I was hoping for in the ACC. I am also glad that Miami is headed to the BIG in that scenario. I find them now hard to desire. Stech, has the BIG 12 signed a GOR? ** Edited by MrFantastic! at 2/23/2023, 2:48:50 PM

Dear ******** You are invited to join us this Thursday, February 23, at 12:15 PM ET, for a live chat with Jack Swarbrick, University Vice President and James E. Rohr Director of Athletics. Join us at giving.nd.edu/watch as Jack discusses the start of the spring athletics season, potential conference realignment, and more.

so.