Notre Dame A.D. On Big East Expansion

[cygnus34]

We’re thrilled with the announcement of the Big East’s new members and we think it delivers on the (league’s) stability,†Swarbrick told CBSSports.com. “It’s great news for the Big East and it’s a great home for us for most of our sports.â€

The Big East announced Wednesday Boise State and San Diego State would join the league in football-only in 2013 and add Houston, UCF and SMU in all sports. By the Big East remaining together, it allows Notre Dame to compete as a Big East member in virtually all sports but football, while remaining a football independent.

“Father (John) Jenkins was trying to provide leadership to help the Big East navigate through this period of time,†Swarbrick said of Notre Dame’s president. “We welcome the new Big East members and we think it speaks to the future vitality and stability of the Big East.â€

With the addition of Houston, UCF and SMU in 2013 and if West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Syracuse remain in the league until June 30, 2014 as scheduled, that means during the 2013-14 school year the Big East would have at least 19 basketball members.

“It doesn’t scare me,†Swarbrick said. “You could figure out a way to set up the schedule. The amount of time they’ve spent determining how many teams will play in the Big East tournament is another story. I think it’s manageable.â€

Swarbrick said he would defer to the conference whether West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Syracuse should be allowed to leave a year early in 2013 when the new members are added.

The biggest question Swarbrick said he gets from the media and when he travels around the country at speaking engagements is whether the Irish will remain an independent in football.

He estimated he speaks each year at between 80-100 Notre Dame clubs or fundraisers in association with a Fighting Irish game.

“You can’t do a Q/A without one of those (questions about if Notre Dame is joining a conference),†Swarbrick said. “They (Notre Dame’s fan base) are pretty clear: they want status quo and national championships.

“It’s easy,†he joked.

Status quo as a football independent and national championships.

“But not in that order, that’s exactly right,†Swarbrick said.

[SRQ]

ND needs to stop their 'series' with 'cuse when its up and replace with one-off games with new BE members.

[gibbsak]

ND needs to join as a football member.

[Apis Bull]

If ND did indeed help, it was only so that they could remain independent in football. Had the Big East collapsed, they might have to have their football team join a conference.

[macphisto]

If ND did indeed help, it was only so that they could remain independent in football. Had the Big East collapsed, they might have to have their football team join a conference.

Which they don't want to do. Notre Dame will use whatever leverage they have to keep the Big East vital and in the mix for the BCS because it benefits them. And they still do have some leverage.

[slick1ru2]

Notre Dame has too many rivalry games to be locked into any conference and they make too much off of merchandise licensing. They don't have to split those merchandise fees with any conference.

[SoFlaEer]

Notre Dame has too many rivalry games to be locked into any conference and they make too much off of merchandise licensing. They don't have to split those merchandise fees with any conference.

there is not one school that does not control their merchandising and licensing, and get 100% of the proceeds. no licensing money goes to a conference, except for conference-specific events. i.e., if you buy a USF t-shirt, the licensing proceeds are 100% USF's, the BE does not get a cut of that (no schools share their licensing $$ with their conference whatsoever). if you buy a t-shirt to the BE BB conference in madison square garden that has the BE logo (and USF) on it, then the conference would get a cut of that. the BE would only get a cut if the BE logo is used.

[smazza]

theone sign big east is still a poorly run conference is that nd has not been thrown out yet???

it is amazing that nd still calls the shots