They are the king makers. They determine the Heisman. They influence the CFP playoff committee. They influence recruiting. They can either hype you up or ignore you. Notre Dame has stayed relevant, but not easily, and with the help of a 12-0 season which cannot be expected to occur every year.
Meanwhile, we are associated with a 2nd rate sports network who makes little effort to boost us as their product.
We have an antiquated financial contract based on “good feelings and gentlemanly understandings” between long time partners.
I heard an ESPNU talking head acknowledge to a caller that when it comes to not talking about ND very much, “I admit it. We are encouraged to push certain teams, and hey...it’s a business”. And Notre Dame is the their rivals’ product. But they (ESPN and Disney) dominate the market.
It’s time to see what kind of deal we can command from a sports network willing to aggressively push us as their product and allow us to retain our independence.
Edits due to iPad & autocorrect errors - sorry.