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What is Notre Dame "worth":

The bad:
I continue to believe that as generations go by the fewer and fewer remaining catholics will continue to see their religion as less and less of a differentiating characteristic. That in turn makes them less likely to root for the Catholic school.

I tend to think that a lot of Notre Dame's "anti-fans" are anti-fans at least in part because of their perceived "special status" which essentially disappears the instant they join a league.

Their graduate/research programs are pathetic compared to the rest of the league.

While their national draw is great for overall ratings it doesn't necessarily deliver any metro areas that the B1G doesn't already control.

Agree overall with your points.  I'll just point out that in the post-cable-subscriber-model world, "controlling" metro areas doesn't really matter, as far as choosing which schools to add.  Total television ratings/fan engagement are most important, now.

At least, until something truly disrupts the current broadcasting model.  It'll be interesting to see if/when/how the streaming services will, or won't, change the overall model.

Wouldn't make any sense for them to join the SEC. Geographically....the Big Ten makes far more sense....including two in-state Big Ten teams. I don't think they have any rivalries with any SEC teams....while they do with USC, Purdue, Michigan, MSU, and Northwestern. They also have a serious hockey program and already compete in the Big Ten hockey conference.

Basically....once ND decides to join a conference....I'd say there's little chance they go to the SEC over the Big Ten.

Agree with all of this, 100%.

Wouldn't make any sense for them to join the SEC. Geographically....the Big Ten makes far more sense....including two in-state Big Ten teams. I don't think they have any rivalries with any SEC teams....while they do with USC, Purdue, Michigan, MSU, and Northwestern. They also have a serious hockey program and already compete in the Big Ten hockey conference.

Basically....once ND decides to join a conference....I'd say there's little chance they go to the SEC over the Big Ten.

You're arguing geography 3 days after USC and UCLA joined the Big Ten.
Mkay.

You're arguing geography 3 days after USC and UCLA joined the Big Ten.
Mkay.

It isn't an argument.  It's an observation.  One of the three I made.  Got anything to say about Notre Dame's rivalries?  The fact that two other in state D1 football programs are in the Big Ten?  That Notre Dame has a hockey program and competes in the Big Ten hockey conference?

But thanks for the input.  High level stuff.

well, arguing geography is in play, but it's now one or the other

Big or SEC

those are the choices

so, it does matter a bit

the money is very similar in either case so geography might be the deciding factor or academics or something else

Right.  As I said....there are multiple factors.  For Notre Dame....geographical distance probably isn't a giant one.  Even hockey probably isn't a deal breaker.  But I'd say the fact that they have rivalries with USC, Michigan, MSU, and Purdue is huge.  Preserve those rivalries and expand them by joining the Big Ten....or potentially lose them altogether.  

With the super conferences coming....lots of historical rivalries are going to be tossed out.  Don't see why ND wouldn't have that as one of their top considerations.

It is kind of funny that most of the posters that bellyached about Rutgers and Maryland being too far out of the footprint are elated at USC and UCLA.

It's all about the branding.

It is kind of funny that most of the posters that bellyached about Rutgers and Maryland being too far out of the footprint are elated at USC and UCLA.

If you're going to reach at least grab something worth it