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Just before the Orange Bowl between Notre Dame and Penn State in the College Football Playoff semifinal, Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin reignited a familiar debate by asserting that every team should be in a conference.
Whether Franklin's remarks added extra fuel to Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish’s fire is unclear, but Notre Dame emerged victorious with a 27-24 win, securing their spot in the national championship.
The push for Notre Dame to join a conference has persisted for decades, but it’s gaining renewed momentum in an era defined by conference realignment and expanding playoff structures. Still, not everyone agrees with Franklin’s stance. Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt offered a starkly different perspective on his podcast.
“Notre Dame is so good for the sport. They are so good for the sport,” Klatt said. “Everyone whining about their conference this or that—guess what? The unique nature of Notre Dame kind of makes college football special. I’m not going to complain about their independence or demand they join a conference. Why? Because they don’t have to.”
Notre Dame’s independence isn’t just a novelty; it’s a financial windfall. The Irish have pocketed $20 million from their College Football Playoff appearances, according to Front Office Sports. That includes $4 million each for qualifying and advancing to the quarterfinals, and $6 million each for reaching the semifinals and the championship game. Unlike their playoff counterparts, Notre Dame doesn’t share its earnings with a conference.
Ohio State, like all other playoff teams, must divide its payout with their respective conference in the Big Ten. While the Buckeyes and Irish won’t receive additional compensation for winning the title, Notre Dame’s solo earnings already represent the largest share.
Now, the Irish have their sights set on an even bigger prize—their first national title since 1988. They’ll face Ohio State in the CFP national championship on Monday, Jan. 20, at 7:30 p.m. EST in Atlanta.
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