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Notre Dame Rejects USC Ultimatum, Threatening Historic Rivalry

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, January 4th 2026 at 5:50 GMT by Newsweek

Notre Dame’s Bold Stand: Why a Potential USC Deal Fell Apart and What it Means for the Historic Rivalry

The storied rivalry between the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of Notre Dame, a fixture in college football for over a century, teetered on the brink of potential collapse recently. According to a bombshell report by Newsweek, Notre Dame rejected a last-ditch ultimatum from USC that would have guaranteed annual games between the two programs even as USC navigates its move to the Big Ten Conference. The rejection highlights a significant power dynamic shift in college athletics and underscores Notre Dame’s increasingly independent stance within the evolving landscape of superconferences.

The Newsweek article, based on sources close to both universities, details how USC, facing uncertainty about its future scheduling after joining the Big Ten in 2024, presented Notre Dame with a proposal designed to preserve their annual matchup. The ultimatum essentially stipulated that if Notre Dame agreed to continue playing USC annually, USC would commit to maintaining this game regardless of any other conference commitments it might acquire within the Big Ten. This was crucial because the Big Ten’s media rights deal, reportedly worth over $1 billion per school, will significantly increase travel demands and scheduling complexities for its member institutions.

For decades, the Notre Dame-USC rivalry has been a cornerstone of college football tradition. The first game occurred in 1887, and the series boasts an impressive history filled with legendary players, dramatic moments, and national championships. While Notre Dame operates as an independent athletic program (with football scheduling agreements that effectively function as conference affiliations), USC’s move to the Big Ten fundamentally alters the landscape. The Trojans now face a schedule dominated by teams from across the Midwest and East Coast, making it significantly more challenging to maintain traditional rivalries like the one with Notre Dame.

The Newsweek report reveals that Notre Dame's rejection wasn't about a lack of desire for the rivalry itself. Instead, it stemmed from concerns over precedent and control. Accepting USC’s ultimatum would have obligated Notre Dame to prioritize a single opponent above all others, potentially limiting its flexibility in scheduling future games with other prominent programs. Notre Dame Athletic Director Father Jack Swaby reportedly felt that accepting such a binding agreement would compromise the university's independence and ability to strategically manage its football schedule.

This decision is particularly significant given Notre Dame’s recent history of carefully managing its athletic relationships. The Irish famously negotiated a deal with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 2013, allowing them to play a limited number of conference games while retaining their independent status for all other sports and maintaining control over their football schedule. This agreement, which expires after the 2024 season, has been instrumental in preserving Notre Dame’s unique position within college athletics – a position that allows them to leverage national appeal and lucrative television deals without being fully bound by conference rules.

The rejection of USC's proposal signals that Notre Dame is determined to maintain this independence even as other institutions consolidate into massive superconferences. It suggests a willingness to risk the annual game in order to preserve its autonomy, demonstrating a level of confidence and power rarely seen outside of the very top tier of college athletic programs.

The future of the rivalry now hangs in uncertainty. While both universities have expressed a desire to continue playing each other at some point, the Newsweek report indicates that the next matchup is unlikely to occur for several years – potentially not until 2030. This lengthy gap will undoubtedly disappoint fans on both sides and diminish the immediate impact of the rivalry.

Furthermore, the situation highlights broader trends in college athletics. The relentless pursuit of revenue through media rights deals is forcing conferences to prioritize television schedules over traditional rivalries. The move by USC to the Big Ten, driven largely by financial considerations, exemplifies this trend. While the desire for tradition and regional matchups remains important, the economic realities of modern college sports often dictate otherwise.

The Newsweek article also touches on the potential impact on recruiting. The Notre Dame-USC rivalry has long been a significant factor in attracting top talent to both programs. A prolonged absence of annual games could diminish this advantage, potentially impacting the competitive balance within the sport.

Ultimately, Notre Dame’s decision represents a calculated risk. While it may mean sacrificing an immediate continuation of one of college football's most iconic rivalries, it reinforces the university’s commitment to its unique position and long-term strategic goals within the ever-changing world of collegiate athletics. The future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Notre Dame isn't willing to compromise its independence for anything less than a deal that aligns perfectly with its vision.

I hope this article provides a comprehensive summary of the Newsweek piece!