Big Ten Realignment: Tradition Or Control? Notre Dame and the Big Ten

I am a 26 year old Irishmen whom was born into a family that held sacred the ideals, traditions, and beliefs that the University of Notre Dame stands for. I went to my first game in South Bend when I was 9 years old with my father, and have loved the Irish ever since. Being a fan of Notre Dame is not the same as being a fan for any other team. There is a magic about Notre Dame; a unexplainable feeling, almost divine, that only true Notre Dame fans know.

Obviously, these last few weeks have had Notre Dame followers anxious, scared, and wondering. Notre Dame Football has stood for 123 years and is quite possibly about to undertake a monumental change. There are so many questions, and fears. Many fans believe that if Notre Dame joins a conference she will be selling her soul for money which would crumble the foundation of what Notre Dame has stood for, for so long. A fear, that if were to become reality would assert that faith, and God can be bought.

If Notre Dame were to join under the same circumstances as Penn State then her legend would surely begin to die. But, I am going to offer my theory on why that will not happen, and how Notre Dame's wealth will end up being her saving grace in preserving what has made her so special, if the move to the Big Ten does happen.

  I am going to go off the assumption that Notre Dame is going to join the Big Ten, and is going to rise out of the ashes of mediocrity back to national prominence. Personally, I am neutral to the idea, and for the purpose of this article I am going to look past the traditionalist view of Notre Dame where the ideals, and history as a independent program are the primary concerning thoughts on the topic of conference concession. I am going to look at the business potential for both Notre Dame, and the Big Ten, if Notre Dame were to join.

Will Notre Dame have any leverage in negotiating with the Big Ten in terms of their contract to keep some of the tradition, and appeal which the program has attained over the years making the Irish such a sought after prize? I have popped this question on a few forums and gotten a range of answers including; "No, Notre Dame is not relevant", "Notre Dame will just be another Big Ten team, thus ending the tradition", and "Yes. Notre Dame is College Football, they can do what they like"...etc.

Here is my theory of why Notre Dame will be able to call at least some shots while negotiating, and why it benefits Notre Dame, as well as the Big Ten.

  As a independent the Irish can play whom they want, when they want, and where they want. They are "Notre Dame" because of their national presence over the years. Notre Dame is such a successful, and lucrative business because of their freedom. If the Big Ten wants Notre Dame because its a cash cow, and the revenue would be ridiculous, why would they strip Notre Dame of what makes her a national icon? It would be a bad business decision.

If the Irish do sign with the Big Ten, I think they [Big Ten] would not only allow, but push Notre Dame to play one or two neutral site conference games against Penn St, Ohio State, Michigan..etc all over the country. For example, a "ND vs tOSU", whom are both ranked in the top 10, game played in the heart of SEC country would do wonders for the Big Ten's ratings..etc making them the premier conference.

Games of this type of magnitude, plus the out of conference games against Southern Cal, Boston College, Miami, Oklahoma, Texas..etc, would be incredible for College Football. Heck,  this may even help Notre Dame with recruiting, a worry if Notre Dame were to join a conference, because they'd be the driving force behind the nations top conference.

Economically, if Notre Dame does go to the Big Ten as an investment, wouldn't it make sense for Delaney to allow Notre Dame to stay as close as possible to the traditional Notre Dame to preserve what makes Notre Dame so profitable? Why would he want to destroy his investment by containing Notre Dame to mid-west conference play? Delaney could possibly be controlling a billion dollar national icon that would make the Big Ten even more powerful, and wealthier while building an apex conference by allowing Notre Dame to simply continue being Notre Dame.