Thursday, April 30, 2026

Notre Dame and NBC Extend Media Rights Agreement To 2029

  • On Saturday, Notre Dame and NBC announced an extension of their longstanding media rights partnership until 2029.
  • The Irish will receive about double their current payouts in the new agreement, sources told Front Office Sports.
Notre Dame and NBC have extended their longstanding media rights deal.
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

On Saturday, Notre Dame and NBC announced an extension of their longstanding football media rights partnership until 2029. 

The longest partnership in college sports history, the deal will include hockey coverage as well as a documentary series on Peacock.

The Irish will receive about double their payouts in the new agreement, sources told Front Office Sports. 

Notre Dame received in the low $20-million range from NBC in previous years, according to tax returns — and about $11 million from media rights revenue from the ACC for the rest of their sports. 

That suggests the Irish will receive somewhere in the $50 million range annually in the new deal.

Notre Dame and NBC said in a press release that more than $100 million in financial aid for undergraduates have been generated by the contract since its inception in 1991. 

While the Irish may not receive quite as much as those in the Big Ten — which inked the largest conference-wide media partnership in history last summer — they clearly have earned enough extra revenue to maintain their current position.

“It helps ensure our independence, and that is so important to us,” Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said

Swarbrick, who will retire in 2024, will be replaced by the chairman of NBC Sports Group, Pete Bevacqua.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jan 29, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Former Washington Wizards guard John Wall looks on before a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

John Wall Joins Howard As President of Basketball Operations

Wall has already weighed in on the Bison’s roster.
Nov 15, 2025; Provo, Utah, USA; The BYU Cougars offense lines up against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs defense during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Big 12 Presidents Approve Deal With RedBird Capital

“We’ve got a strong bench now,” Brett Yormark told FOS about the deal.

NCAA To Pay Millions to Tennis Players, Tweak Prize Money Rules

The settlement says the NCAA already changed its prize money rules.

Dusty May Says Unsigned Michigan Deal Is Just a ‘Formality’

May told FOS he won’t sign his new contract until July. 

Featured Today

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 25: Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever sits on the baseline and makes photographs during the Indiana Pacers game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Why Athletes Are Moonlighting As Sports Photographers

Athletes are swapping courtside seats for sideline cameras.
Quinnipiac women's varsity rugby
April 21, 2026

The Death of Quinnipiac Women’s Varsity Rugby

The sudden decision at Ilona Maher’s alma mater left players blindsided.
April 17, 2026

The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era

In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.
blake griffin
April 14, 2026

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.
Nov 10, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; ESPN radio sideline reporter Dianna Russini during the NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Rams at Heinz Field. The Steelers defeated the Rams 17-12. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
exclusive
April 29, 2026

Top Athletic Editor Addresses Russini Saga in All-Hands Meeting

Steven Ginsberg acknowledged the outlet’s communications could have been clearer.
April 29, 2026

NFL Draft Viewership Falls 12%, Averages 6.6M Over Three Days

Coverage across all networks averaged 6.6 million viewers.
Sponsored

Why Brandon Marshall Bet on Athlete-Owned Media

Brandon Marshall on athlete media, life after football, building I AM ATHLETE.
Feb 5, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel talks to media members at the Santa Clara Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
April 29, 2026

From Sideline to Spotlight: Mike Vrabel Faces Celebrity Frenzy

Vrabel has been a tabloid fixture in recent weeks.
Feb 4, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Ian Rapoport on the NFL Network set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
exclusive
April 29, 2026

Ian Rapoport, ESPN Finalizing Multiyear Deal

The NFL insider’s contract was set to expire in May.
April 28, 2026

Braves Say New TV Network Is on Pace to Beat Old RSN Revenue

Early returns from the new regional sports network provide confidence.
WWE NXT
exclusive
April 28, 2026

WWE Moving 20 NXT Premium Live Events to The CW

The deal includes 20 events over the next several years.