On a recent episode of “The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football Podcast,” Notre Dame Head Coach Marcus Freeman articulated with conviction why the Fighting Irish should, and will, strive to maintain their cherished independent status in the ever-shifting landscape of college football. His perspective, delivered from what Klatt himself called his “singular favorite spot in all of college football, the locker room at Notre Dame Stadium,” provided a powerful reminder of the historical, cultural, and now, increasingly, the financial advantages that fuel Notre Dame’s unique position.
Freeman’s core argument for independence goes far beyond mere tradition or sentimental attachment, though those elements are undeniably potent. He rooted his reasoning in the very foundation of the program, emphasizing how Notre Dame football was built on the necessity of independence and how that necessity forged its unique identity.
“It’s what this football program was built from,” Freeman explained to Klatt. “We spend time talking about the history of Notre Dame football and how it was built and the reason we’re independent. We were looking for teams to play and we were willing to drive or take a train from coast to coast in order to find an opponent. That’s how the Notre Dame football program was built. That’s why we will want to keep that independence as much as we can; that’s what makes this place special.”1
This historical context is crucial. Unlike many major programs that grew out of regional conference affiliations, Notre Dame’s early history was marked by being ostracized and even “blackballed” by nascent conferences, notably the Big Ten, largely due to anti-Catholic prejudice. This forced independence, rather than crippling the program, became its defining characteristic. It led to a national scheduling philosophy, allowing Notre Dame to build a national fanbase stretching from coast to coast, far beyond any single regional footprint. This “national brand” appeal, cultivated over a century, is perhaps the strongest argument for maintaining their unique status today.
Beyond the historical and identity aspects, Freeman also touched on several practical and strategic reasons why independence remains advantageous for Notre Dame:
1. Scheduling Flexibility and Marquee Matchups:
One of the most obvious benefits of independence is the ability to craft a highly attractive and challenging schedule. Notre Dame is not beholden to a conference’s internal scheduling mandates, allowing them to:
- Maintain Historic Rivalries: Freeman specifically highlighted the importance of rivalries like the one with USC. “If they ask my opinion, I want to continuously play USC every year. It takes both parties to tango, right? It has to fit both institutions, they’re in a conference and we’re not. When do we play? All of those things come into consideration, but I think it’s important we continue to have this rivalry.”2 While USC’s move to the Big Ten complicates scheduling, Notre Dame’s independence gives them the best possible chance to preserve these iconic matchups. They also maintain annual games against Navy and Stanford, part of their unique tradition.
- National Footprint: As Freeman alluded to, Notre Dame can schedule games across the country, playing in major markets from Boston to Los Angeles. This continuous national exposure is a powerful recruiting tool, allowing them to cast a wider net for talent than most regionally confined conference schools.
- Strategic Non-Conference Games: Notre Dame has the freedom to schedule top-tier non-conference opponents that enhance their strength of schedule and playoff resume, without the added burden of a grueling 9-game conference slate that some Power conferences now require. Their arrangement with the ACC to play five games annually gives them a solid base of Power conference opponents.
2. Financial Autonomy and Revenue:
While some critics argue Notre Dame would earn more money in a major conference, recent developments, particularly with the expanded College Football Playoff (CFP), have bolstered Notre Dame’s financial position as an independent.
- NBC Deal: Notre Dame has a long-standing, exclusive television contract with NBC, running through 2029. This deal provides significant revenue directly to the university, without having to share it among conference members. While the annual payout is reportedly less than what Big Ten or SEC schools receive from their massive media rights deals, it’s substantial and provides a guaranteed revenue stream that they control entirely.
- CFP Revenue Retention: This is arguably the biggest recent game-changer. With the expanded 12-team playoff, Notre Dame’s path to the postseason is more secure, and critically, any revenue they earn from their playoff appearances is entirely theirs. As reported, Notre Dame earned $20 million from their playoff run in the 2024-25 season, which culminated in a National Championship appearance. Conference-affiliated teams, while earning a similar base amount for their league, must divide that money among all member schools. This effectively means Notre Dame keeps a significantly larger share of their playoff earnings. Beginning in 2026, when the new CFP contract starts, Notre Dame is projected to earn around $12.5 million annually in base revenue distribution, comparable to ACC and Big 12 schools, with additional millions for making the playoff.
3. Maintaining Institutional Identity and Control:
For Notre Dame, football is deeply intertwined with the university’s identity and mission. Independence allows the school to retain ultimate control over its athletic destiny, without being swayed by the collective decisions of a conference. This includes:
- Academic Standards: Notre Dame maintains rigorous academic standards, which might be compromised if they were forced to align with a conference that prioritizes athletic metrics above all else.
- Decision-Making: The university’s leadership, including Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua and university president, make decisions based solely on what’s best for Notre Dame, rather than being part of a larger conference committee where priorities might differ.
- Recruiting Pitch: As Freeman stated, the independence itself is a powerful recruiting tool. It speaks to a unique experience, a national stage, and a program that stands apart. Recruits are drawn to the tradition and the global reach that independence provides.
While firm in his stance, Marcus Freeman also acknowledged the pragmatic realities of modern college football. He outlined specific scenarios that would force Notre Dame to reconsider its independent status.
“But if there ever comes a time that we are in a disadvantage because we aren’t in a conference,” Freeman stated, “then [the school will] say, ‘Alright, we’re gonna join one of these conferences, and position ourselves to not be negatively impacted by being independent.'”
He further elaborated on what those disadvantages might look like:
- Playoff Access: “If you talk about being at a disadvantage to make the postseason, because you’re not in the playoff.” With the new 12-team format seemingly favoring Notre Dame, this concern appears to be mitigated for now.
- Scheduling Difficulties: “Or if there comes a time when teams won’t schedule you because the Big Ten or the SEC are saying we’re gonna play nine games and we’ll play a crossover game and who cares about Notre Dame? Then I think there’s going to be a point where we’re forced to join a conference.”3 This is a legitimate long-term concern as super-conferences expand and internal scheduling fills up more of their calendars. However, Notre Dame’s enduring appeal and high TV ratings make it an attractive opponent, lessening this threat for now.
Freeman concluded, “But until that point happens, which it doesn’t look likely, we’re going to stay independent as long as we can.”
In essence, Marcus Freeman’s message on “The Joel Klatt Show” was a clear reaffirmation of Notre Dame’s commitment to independence. It’s a choice deeply ingrained in the program’s history, financially beneficial with the new playoff structure, and strategically advantageous for maintaining a national brand and control over its destiny. While the landscape of college football continues its seismic shifts, Notre Dame believes it has found a way to not just survive but thrive in its unique standalone position.
