The debate surrounding Notre Dame's reputation and its TV ratings has sparked a heated discussion in the world of college football. A bold question was raised: "Does anyone actually watch Notre Dame's games?" This query, posed by Paul Finebaum, challenges the perception of Notre Dame's status and popularity.
Finebaum, known as the "Voice of the SEC," made a compelling argument. He suggested that while Notre Dame believes it's a top-tier brand, its appeal has diminished, especially compared to SEC and Big Ten teams. Despite having its own national TV deal with NBC Sports, which brings in an estimated $50 million annually, and iconic traditions, the data tells a different story.
Notre Dame's recent actions, declaring war on the committee that excluded them from the College Football Playoff, highlight a growing disconnect. The team presents itself as an irreplaceable TV attraction, but the numbers suggest otherwise. When it comes to national TV appeal, they're more like the Indianapolis Colts than the Dallas Cowboys.
According to Nielsen, the 10-2 Irish didn't make it to the top ten most-watched college football teams this year. Their average viewing audience ranked them 15th, behind several SEC and ACC teams. The most-watched team was Alabama, with over double Notre Dame's viewers.
But here's where it gets controversial... Notre Dame's game against Miami, their season opener, drew 10.8 million viewers, the highest for the season. Yet, this loss to the Hurricanes was cited as the reason they didn't make the playoff cut. Even their victory over USC didn't attract a significant audience, with NBC's broadcast trailing behind several SEC matchups.
Last season, Notre Dame had a remarkable run, reaching the national championship game. However, the viewership for that game was down compared to previous years, and it ranked as the third-lowest audience among all CFP title games.
TV ratings aren't the only measure of success, but they do provide insight. Notre Dame's slow start this season and the timing of their national championship game may have impacted their ratings. Despite this, the team's value remains high, ranking fourth in projected sale price according to The Athletic.
And this is the part most people miss... Notre Dame's fans might not want to hear it, but SEC and Big Ten teams have become far more popular TV draws. Alabama, Ohio State, Texas, Michigan, and Georgia now dominate the ratings.
Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, has been vocal, accusing the CFP committee of stealing a playoff spot and warning of damaged relationships. This has not gone down well with other league commissioners, who have criticized Bevacqua's behavior as "egregious" and "out of bounds."
Even legendary ESPN commentator Dick Vitale, a Notre Dame supporter, has had his doubts. Mike Greenberg, another ESPN host, initially defended Bevacqua but changed his mind after the AD's controversial claim about their 10-game winning streak.
From a business perspective, ESPN, which pays billions to be the TV partner of the CFP, ACC, and SEC, has little sympathy for Notre Dame. The more Bevacqua speaks, the more he embarks on a path of embarrassment, as Stephen A. Smith pointed out.
So, is Notre Dame's reputation out of sync with reality? The data suggests so, but what do you think? Should Notre Dame tone down its complaints, or is there more to the story? Let's discuss in the comments!
