Jack Swarbrick retires as Notre Dame AD today after 16 years at the helm.

He spoke to Dennis Dodd about a lot of things in the linked article.

Regarding ND, the ACC and conference realignment, he said this:

""My crystal ball is cloudier than it's ever been. That's saying something. I don't see a lot of momentum towards further realignment right now. There are some schools that, if they made a move, might change that. But frankly, we're probably first among that, but we're not likely to.

"I don't see the catalyst right now. The Big Ten and SEC have the assets they need to position themselves for their next media negotiation. I understand the ACC has disgruntled members, but I'm not sure there are better options for them. The ACC's legal position is a very strong one."



Everyone seems to want to know "what is ND going to do".

This comment seems to indicate that ND will do nothing at all regarding conference realignment.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-footba...in-future/

I know he has a split opinion and his legacy among ND fans/alumni, but I think he's been an incredible AD. He's made some great hires across multiple sports, and the athletic department is in better shape today than when he started.

Long-term ADs are dropping like flies.

(03-25-2024 04:08 PM)TerryD Wrote:  Jack Swarbrick retires as Notre Dame AD today after 16 years at the helm.

He spoke to Dennis Dodd about a lot of things in the linked article.

Regarding ND, the ACC and conference realignment, he said this:

""My crystal ball is cloudier than it's ever been. That's saying something. I don't see a lot of momentum towards further realignment right now. There are some schools that, if they made a move, might change that. But frankly, we're probably first among that, but we're not likely to.

"I don't see the catalyst right now. The Big Ten and SEC have the assets they need to position themselves for their next media negotiation. I understand the ACC has disgruntled members, but I'm not sure there are better options for them. The ACC's legal position is a very strong one."



Everyone seems to want to know "what is ND going to do".

This comment seems to indicate that ND will do nothing at all regarding conference realignment.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-footba...in-future/

And I believe he is telling the truth from Notre Dame's perspective. I'd even allow from the ACC's perspective.

However, there are more perspectives than those two.

What does FOX want? What does ESPN want? Does realignment consolidation or promotion accomplish this? Is there money to be made (as with the CFP I think yes) or money to be saved? (The cutting of overhead through reduction, yes.) And what do ESPN and FOX/CBS/NBC have in the way of inventory needs?

Is there anyone out there which can equal the addition of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC? No. Are there additions out there which could strengthen the SEC in other ways than football and help with some internal scheduling issues? Yes.

Is no action in Notre Dame's self-interest? You bet it is.

Is no action in the best interest of the SEC? It could be, but for it to be the ACC must stabilize. If it doesn't it is in the SEC's best interest to be proactive.

Is it in the best interest of the Big 10 to take no further action? No. It would cement them clearly in an inferior position with regards to valuation and travel.

And therein Terry D is the rub. The SEC is basically content with its regional identity and its revenue. The disruption in the ACC is either instigated by the Big 10 or by ESPN itself. And that's why everyone is on alert.

(03-25-2024 04:36 PM)unalions Wrote:  Long-term ADs are dropping like flies.

He's nearly 80, and he hired his own replacement nearly a year ago.

I have a very high opinion of Swarbrick, but his thoughts on the ACC GoR tell us more about ND's preferences than they do on the likelihood of an ACC jailbreak.

(03-25-2024 05:06 PM)bryanw1995 Wrote:  

(03-25-2024 04:36 PM)unalions Wrote:  Long-term ADs are dropping like flies.

He's nearly 80, and he hired his own replacement nearly a year ago.

Ahh, I gotcha. I had no idea. I don’t follow anything about ND.

(03-25-2024 05:06 PM)bryanw1995 Wrote:  

(03-25-2024 04:36 PM)unalions Wrote:  Long-term ADs are dropping like flies.

He's nearly 80, and he hired his own replacement nearly a year ago.

I have a very high opinion of Swarbrick, but his thoughts on the ACC GoR tell us more about ND's preferences than they do on the likelihood of an ACC jailbreak.

Jack Swarbrick is 70 years old

(03-25-2024 05:34 PM)TerryD Wrote:  

(03-25-2024 05:06 PM)bryanw1995 Wrote:  

(03-25-2024 04:36 PM)unalions Wrote:  Long-term ADs are dropping like flies.

He's nearly 80, and he hired his own replacement nearly a year ago.

I have a very high opinion of Swarbrick, but his thoughts on the ACC GoR tell us more about ND's preferences than they do on the likelihood of an ACC jailbreak.

Jack Swarbrick is 70 years old..

He's done a good job for Notre Dame.

(03-25-2024 05:37 PM)XLance Wrote:  

(03-25-2024 05:34 PM)TerryD Wrote:  

(03-25-2024 05:06 PM)bryanw1995 Wrote:  

(03-25-2024 04:36 PM)unalions Wrote:  Long-term ADs are dropping like flies.

He's nearly 80, and he hired his own replacement nearly a year ago.

I have a very high opinion of Swarbrick, but his thoughts on the ACC GoR tell us more about ND's preferences than they do on the likelihood of an ACC jailbreak.

Jack Swarbrick is 70 years old..

He's done a good job for Notre Dame.

I posted a list in another thread of what he negotiated just in the past six months.

It is an impressive list.

(03-25-2024 05:37 PM)XLance Wrote:  

(03-25-2024 05:34 PM)TerryD Wrote:  

(03-25-2024 05:06 PM)bryanw1995 Wrote:  

(03-25-2024 04:36 PM)unalions Wrote:  Long-term ADs are dropping like flies.

He's nearly 80, and he hired his own replacement nearly a year ago.

I have a very high opinion of Swarbrick, but his thoughts on the ACC GoR tell us more about ND's preferences than they do on the likelihood of an ACC jailbreak.

Jack Swarbrick is 70 years old..

He's done a good job for Notre Dame.

Here is the list:


In the past six months or so, ND had a To Do list and has negotiated the following:

--New, lucrative NBC TV deal---Check ($50-60 million per year)

--Richest apparel deal ever---Check (old Under Armour deal was $9.5 million a year, this one tops in the industry)

--Playoff access expansion--Check (more at large bids available, ND still treated as a conference of one by the CFP)

--P2 level playoff money ----Check ($12.5 million always plus $6 million bonus for making it, has a spot if in Top 14 of CFP rankings)

--ACC expansion/ESPN comp clause---Check (takes care of $17.4 million from ACC plus takes care of other sports)


So, that is $86 million a year (minimum) from NBC, the ACC/ESPN and the playoffs in years that ND qualifies for a spot.

(all of that without ND football having to join a conference)


ND did all of this heavy lifting this knowing that FSU and Clemson and possibly NC would sue.

(Jack Swarbick put all of this in place before he retired, leaving ND in a very good place. He should get a statue on campus near the stadium)

Yet, people are certain that after putting all of this in place, ND will suddenly surrender football independence........

Texas wanted Jack Swarbick to be commissioner of the Big 12 after Steve Hatchell left. OU wanted Dan Beebe. The conference got Dan Beebe.

(03-25-2024 04:50 PM)JRsec Wrote:  The disruption in the ACC is either instigated by the Big 10 or by ESPN itself. And that's why everyone is on alert.

I don't see any reason for ESPN to instigate disruption in the ACC. If they don't want to keep the contract, just don't excercise the option -- it expires in 3 years anyway!

OTOH, the Big Ten has every reason to do this -- and it has done it before. They are my #1 suspect.

(03-25-2024 07:11 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(03-25-2024 04:50 PM)JRsec Wrote:  The disruption in the ACC is either instigated by the Big 10 or by ESPN itself. And that's why everyone is on alert.

I don't see any reason for ESPN to instigate disruption in the ACC. If they don't want to keep the contract, just don't excercise the option -- it expires in 3 years anyway!

OTOH, the Big Ten has every reason to do this -- and it has done it before. They are my #1 suspect.

It is possible for ESPN to control the area it currently does with just 6 ACC schools, possibly 7 and do so for less overall even those 7 would make more. I can't dismiss that as a motive. If that were the case lining them up for the move ESPN would want them to make is leveraged by that option and its possible expiration.

The greater and simpler motivation belongs to FOX which has long wanted into the Deep South market, and the Big 10 which wants to access growing markets to have a presence somewhere besides dying ones. And which needs to try to cover a gap of 2.3 billion in valuation it currently has with the SEC.

The SEC is very content at 16, and would only act to defend its markets. The Big 12 can't offer enough to make it happen, and can only try to clean things up if it does, the PAC 12 is gone, and the ACC is not intentionally doing it to itself. That leaves the Big 10 which could easily be using FSU and Clemson to pry apart the ACC because the SEC doesn't need either of them except to protect its own interests. In that world if the SEC doesn't take them the Big 10 might to create a run and open up other interests they have. If the SEC does take them proactively it opens up a run leaving just what the Big 10 is after.

So I'll agree with you it looks like we have our #1 suspect, but neither can I rule out #2 if it results in ESPN efficiently keeping what it has already for less overall.

(03-25-2024 05:06 PM)bryanw1995 Wrote:  

(03-25-2024 04:36 PM)unalions Wrote:  Long-term ADs are dropping like flies.

He's nearly 80, and he hired his own replacement nearly a year ago.

I have a very high opinion of Swarbrick, but his thoughts on the ACC GoR tell us more about ND's preferences than they do on the likelihood of an ACC jailbreak.

Actually, he's not yet 70.

(03-25-2024 05:11 PM)unalions Wrote:  

(03-25-2024 05:06 PM)bryanw1995 Wrote:  

(03-25-2024 04:36 PM)unalions Wrote:  Long-term ADs are dropping like flies.

He's nearly 80, and he hired his own replacement nearly a year ago.

Ahh, I gotcha. I had no idea. I don’t follow anything about ND.

He turned 70 two weeks ago. He did hire his own replacement, though.