The Financial Imperative: Would West Point and Notre Dame Gain by Joining a Conference?
When in doubt, follow the money. College football teams, especially those in Power 5 conferences, join conferences to exploit the valuable television revenue to fund their athletic programs. For institutions like West Point and Notre Dame, there is no incentive to join a conference as a full football member. Here’s why.
Why College Teams Join Conferences
Colleges and universities join conferences for the primary purpose of maximizing their revenue streams. The financial backbone of these teams comes from television contracts that bring in significant sums of money. These contracts help cover the costs associated with athletic programs, which serve as an important marketing tool to attract both students and professors.
Revenue sports like football and basketball are crucial for attracting students, who are often swayed by competitive athletic programs. For non-revenue sports, these teams serve as a draw for student athletes. Look at Notre Dame’s swimming team, which boasts sixteen academic All-American accolades. These sports are not just about the games; they are an integral part of the school’s image and its ability to remain competitive.
Power 5 Conferences: The Money Machine
The Power 5 conferences, which include the Big Ten, SEC, ACC, Pac-12, and Big 12, are known for their lucrative television deals. These contracts are shared among the conference members, helping to shoulder a significant portion of the costs of athletic programs. Bowl tie-ins add to this revenue, further bolstering the financial case for being part of a conference. For most college football teams, joining a conference is a major financial advantage.
West Point: A Special Case
West Point, the United States Military Academy, is unique in that its operations are funded directly by Congress. Its student population is also limited, necessitating special references from government officials for admission. As a result, all of its costs are covered, and it is not competing for students in the traditional sense. Its athletic program is more of an academic and cultural endeavor rather than a revenue-generating entity. Therefore, joining a conference would not provide any financial advantage to West Point.
Notre Dame: A Different Kind of Special
Notre Dame is also special, but for different reasons. The Fighting Irish held veto power during the conference realignment in recent years. They chose the ACC due to its flexible bowl tie-ins and a favorable schedule, where they could face traditional rivals like Michigan, Purdue, USC, and Navy. Each of the conference members competed to sign Notre Dame, and they were given significant autonomy to craft their own schedule.
Notre Dame also has its own television contract with NBC, earning a significant amount of revenue from home games. This contract is considerably more lucrative than what they would receive if they joined the Big Ten or the SEC, making it even less appealing to join a conference. For Notre Dame, staying independent secures their financial future.
The Bottom Line
There is no advantage for either West Point or Notre Dame to join a conference as full football members. Their unique financial situations and the lucrative deals they already have in place make existing arrangements ideal.
In conclusion, while other college football teams find financial benefits in joining conferences, West Point and Notre Dame remain best served by their current independent status. This decision is strategic and financially prudent, ensuring the continued success of their athletic programs.