"I'm not sure ND can compete with paying players $500K a year." That is just a very dumb statement, for many reasons. Very few kids are making that much and ND can absolutely compete in such a scenario.
We've seen this narrative many times on this board - that in the age of NIL, ND will be challenged to compete.
It was stupid then, and is stupid now.
No matter how this all shakes out, Notre Dame will be just fine, thank you. Notre Dame has the financial resources and an engaged and affluent donor base that will ensure ND has the appropriate levels of investment to compete.
It really all comes down to the degree which the administration wants to commit to winning. With Savvy Jack gone and Fr Bob on board, I am very optimistic. I am told by a trusted source that Fr. Bob wants a strong football program and what we've seen early in his tenure reinforces that.