Skip to content

Ad Disclosure

College football realignment rumors: Dan Patrick addresses NBC’s reported B1G, Notre Dame partnership

Paul Harvey

By Paul Harvey

Published:

College football realignment rumors never stop it seems in the realm of college football. Recently, Dan Patrick tackled the latest report during The Dan Patrick Show.

Patrick specifically addressed the report that NBC is thinking about partnering B1G broadcasts with his current agreement with Notre Dame. The new media rights deal for the B1G is still ongoing with a number of partners vying for the opportunity alongside FOX Sports.

“I said keep an eye on the Big Ten media right and also what NBC does with Notre Dame football. I was told by a source this could be a combination here of Notre Dame and the Big Ten,” Patrick explained. “Well, it looks like that is a distinct possibility because the media rights for the Big Ten expires after the 2023 season.

“FOX Sports is the conference’s primary TV partner with the Big Ten, but NBC has already pushed the idea of combining Big Ten telecasts with its existing Notre Dame coverage as a perfect 1-2 punch.”

Patrick went on to report that such a deal for NBC would push the SEC into another expansion move. He provided 3 schools the SEC is expected to pursue if NBC lands the deal.

“If that happens, as I told you a couple of weeks ago, the SEC will make a move,” explained Patrick. “From what I’m told, they’re gonna go after Clemson, Florida State and the U (Miami).”

Patrick also said the fallout from those moves could force the B1G and SEC each to expand to up to 20 teams. For anyone hoping things might be slowing down, that does not appear to be the case heading into the heat of August.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.