• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

ESPN, ABC To Simulcast First Non-NBC Notre Dame Home Game Since 1990

NBC has held the media rights to Notre Dame home games since 1990. But during the College Football Playoff, ABC and ESPN will broadcast from South Bend, Ind.

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

ABC and ESPN will become the first networks other than NBC to air a Notre Dame home game since 1990.

The Disney-owned channels will simulcast Indiana–Notre Dame from South Bend, Ind., which kicks off the first 12-team College Football Playoff on Friday night Dec. 20. NBC has held the media rights to Fighting Irish home games since 1991, but ESPN has rights to the CFP after signing a $7.8 billion extension through 2032.

ESPN is sublicensing two first-round Playoff games this year to TNT Sports, which will air Clemson-Texas and SMU–Penn State in the early and late afternoon on Dec. 21. But ABC and ESPN have both primetime matchups, Indiana-Notre Dame and Tennessee-Ohio State, with the latter closing out the first round Saturday night.

It was actually ESPN that broadcast the last Notre Dame home game not on NBC—a 24–21 win over Penn State on Nov. 17, 1990. CBS also aired Notre Dame home games to national TV audiences that season.

Last year, NBC extended its longstanding media rights deal with Notre Dame through 2029, and is said to be paying an annual fee of roughly $50 million. NBC was one of several media companies that explored bids for the expanded CFP, but ultimately did not acquire those rights.

Notre Dame has produced some sizable TV ratings for NBC this fall, according to Nielsen figures cited by Sports Media Watch, like a pair of audience numbers near 4 million against Northern Illinois in September and Army in November. But the most viewers for a Notre Dame game came when the Fighting Irish visited Texas A&M to open the season, as nearly 8 million people watched that matchup on ABC.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 28, 2024; New York, New York, USA; MLB Hall of Fame player and former New York Yankee captain Derek Jeter throws out a ceremonial first pitch before game three of the 2024 MLB World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Yankees at Yankee Stadium

Minute Media Cuts Include About 10 Players’ Tribune Layoffs

It will de-emphasize video content and focus on long-form writing.
Terry Rozier

NBA Strongly Denies Quietly Suspending Terry Rozier in 2023

Brian Windhorst appeared to walk back his comments Friday morning.
YouTube/ Multiple streaming services appear on a Roku TV.

YouTube in Another Carriage Dispute, This Time With Disney

ESPN and ABC could be dropped from the No. 4 U.S. pay-TV distributor.
Oct 21, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) keeps the ball away from Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) during the second half at Paycom Center

NBA’s NBC Return Draws 5.9M Viewers, Best Opener Since 2010

Thunder vs. Rockets peaked at 7.1 million viewers.

Featured Today

September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin
October 25, 2025

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
Tigers Head Coach Brian Kelly, LSU Tigers take on the Texas A&M Aggies. October 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium. Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.

College Football Coach Buyouts Are Not What They Seem

LSU will likely not have to pay Kelly the $53 million he has left on his contract.
October 26, 2025

Revenue-Sharing Era’s New Powers: Indiana, Georgia Tech, and Vandy

Indiana is the most notable, having ascended to No. 2.
October 26, 2025

LSU Ends Brian Kelly Era, $53M Buyout Negotiations Underway

The Tigers fell to 5–3 after losing to Texas A&M.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

Fans can now follow their favorite golfers and experience every marquee moment at the Ryder Cup — thanks to innovation from T-Mobile.
October 26, 2025

Sarkisian, Kiffin Address Rumors As Coaching Carousel Spins Again

Reports are rampant about the coaches taking new jobs.
Azzi Fudd
October 24, 2025

Government Shutdown Moves UConn Season Opener Out of Germany

The shutdown is now on its 24th day.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) celebrates following the game between Vanderbilt University and Louisiana State University at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025
exclusive
October 24, 2025

Diego Pavia Is Trying to Kill NCAA JUCO Eligibility Rules for Good

Vandy’s QB is amending his own lawsuit to encompass all NCAA athletes.
Oct 11, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell after losing the game to the Pittsburgh Panthers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium.
October 23, 2025

CFB’s Chaotic (and Pricey) Coaching Carousel Only Getting Started

Firings have already accounted for roughly $116 million.