Thursday, July 16, 2026

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Notre Dame football
Photo Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Despite NCAA President Mark Emmert remaining “very concerned” about a fall sports season, the ACC unveiled its plans for an 11-game football schedule starting Sept. 12 that includes Notre Dame.

Notre Dame makes a major concession to join the ACC: splitting its NBC contract. NBC has had Notre Dame football rights since 1991, with a current deal that runs through 2025 and pays a reported $15 million a year. Notre Dame is a member of the ACC in all sports except football.

ESPN holds the ACC’s media rights, which pay the conference $240 million a year. The network also owns the ACC Network and splits revenue and costs with the conference.

Without ticket sales, Power 5 schools could lose an average of $18.6 million this season. Without a season at all, Power 5 schools could lose $4 billion combined.

Other Big 5 Conference Football Plans: 

SEC: Moving closer to 10-game conference-only schedule.

Big Ten: Conference-only schedule

Pac-12: Conference-only schedule

— Big 12: Have yet to announce plans, but Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said the schedules “don’t have to be identical.”

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