Notre Dame Win Brings Its Solo CFP Purse to $20 Million

Notre Dame increased its College Football Playoff payout to $20 million—the maximum the independent school can earn this postseason—with its 27–24 victory over Penn State in the Orange Bowl on Thursday night.

There is $116 million CFP bonus money up for grabs based on schools reaching the Playoff and how far they advance in it. For the other 11 universities, the money they earn goes to their conference, where it is then distributed. But Notre Dame, which is independent, keeps every penny it earns.

Irish Pot of Gold 

Here’s the sum for the Fighting Irish:

• $4 million for qualifying for the CFP
• $4 million for advancing to the quarterfinals
• $6 million for advancing to the semifinals
• $6 million for advancing to the national championship game

There is no additional payment for the winner of the title game.

Penn State and Ohio State each earned $14 million for the Big Ten—$28 million total—for advancing to the semifinals. Texas also earned $14 million for the SEC. Another $6 million is up for grabs for the Big Ten or SEC, depending on who wins Friday night’s Cotton Bowl.

Notre Dame’s CFP run has validated its commitment to remaining independent, despite calls for the Fighting Irish to join a conference—even from Penn State coach James Franklin.