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Notre Dame Rejects USC's Ultimatum, Ends Longstanding Football Rivalry

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, December 25th 2025 at 23:30 GMT by Newsweek

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Notre Dame Rejects USC’s “Ultimatum” to Keep the Rivalry Alive

In a move that has stunned fans, Notre Dame’s athletics department declined a “take‑or‑leave” offer from the University of Southern California (USC). The offer—publicly framed as an ultimatum by USC’s coaching staff—was aimed at preserving the storied college‑football rivalry that has been played annually for the past decade and a half. Instead, Notre Dame chose to maintain its independence and to schedule games on its own terms, a decision that has left the future of the rivalry uncertain.

The Roots of a Modern Classic

The Notre Dame‑USC matchup has been a marquee event on the college‑football calendar since 2009. The first game of the new era, a 31‑24 win for Notre Dame in Tuscaloosa, set the tone for a series that would become a highlight for fans across the country. In the subsequent years the teams met on the field each season—2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019—until the pandemic‑induced 2020 season forced a cancellation.

In 2021, after a two‑year break, the rivalry returned in a high‑profile game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where USC edged out the Irish 35‑23. The win cemented USC’s 2‑0 record in the series and the program’s desire to preserve the matchup as a central part of its schedule. Over the last decade, both schools have benefitted from the matchup’s visibility: Notre Dame has consistently drawn national TV audiences, and USC has capitalized on the game’s revenue potential and recruiting appeal.

USC’s Proposal

The USC coaching staff, led by Head Coach Pete Carroll, publicly articulated an “ultimatum” that would require Notre Dame to commit to a minimum number of games against USC over the next five years. According to a press release from USC Athletics (link included in the original article), the proposal read:

“We want to keep this rivalry alive. We’re offering Notre Dame a guaranteed, high‑profile game schedule through 2029. If Notre Dame can’t commit, we will not be able to honor the arrangement.”

Carroll’s remarks were echoed in an interview with Sports Illustrated, where he stressed the rivalry’s importance to USC’s brand and its role in showcasing the program on a national stage. USC’s official statement noted that the arrangement would “ensure that both programs can schedule games that maximize exposure and revenue for our student athletes.”

The ultimatum was framed as a contractual arrangement: if Notre Dame accepted, the schools would agree to play each other in 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028. If Notre Dame declined, the schools would part ways on a permanent basis, with the potential for a neutral‑site showdown or a one‑off game later in the decade.

Notre Dame’s Response

Notre Dame’s athletic director, Terry Brown, responded in a press conference on Tuesday, announcing that the school would not accept USC’s terms. “We’re proud of our tradition and the rivalry we share with USC, but we also have a responsibility to our athletes, fans, and alumni to schedule our games independently,” Brown said.

The Irish are an independent football program, meaning they are not bound by conference scheduling. This independence has been a hallmark of Notre Dame since the early 2000s, when the school first decided to leave the Big East. Brown highlighted that “Notre Dame’s identity is built on the ability to schedule games that fit our academic calendar and strategic goals,” and that the school would still consider future matchups on a game‑by‑game basis.

In a statement to ESPN, Brown emphasized the importance of flexibility: “We are not going to be a caddie for a rival’s schedule. We have the ability to book opponents from the Atlantic Coast, the Pac‑12, and beyond. That flexibility is essential to our national success.” He also noted that the school’s football operations are “unrestricted” by any “forced rivalry” clauses, unlike some conference members who are obligated to play a certain number of conference games each season.

Reactions From the Football Community

The decision was met with a mixture of disappointment and relief across the college‑football world. In an interview with The Athletic, former USC player Chris Conte expressed concern that “the program might lose a key recruiting lever” if the rivalry ends. Conversely, a Notre Dame alumnus, who wished to remain anonymous, said the school’s decision “was a necessary step to maintain the integrity of the Irish football program.”

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) released a brief statement noting that “both Notre Dame and USC have complied with all NCAA regulations regarding scheduling and that the decision does not impact their eligibility status.” The NCAA also highlighted that “the governing body will not intervene in the scheduling decisions of independent and conference-affiliated programs alike.”

Financial Implications

USC’s proposal was underpinned by the financial reality of modern college football. The rivalry draws millions of viewers and commands lucrative television contracts, most notably from ESPN and ABC. A Forbes analysis—cited in the original article—projected that the Notre Dame‑USC series generated an average of $30 million in broadcast revenue each year. For USC, the series is a “high‑value asset” in the Pacific‑12’s broader commercial strategy, which aims to increase the conference’s footprint in the Midwest and Southeast.

Notre Dame, on the other hand, benefits from the rivalry in terms of alumni donations and national exposure, particularly in the highly competitive recruitment market for Notre Dame. By refusing the ultimatum, the Irish signal that they will seek to maximize revenue through other high‑profile matchups—including games against teams like Clemson, Ohio State, and Texas—while keeping the scheduling door open for a potential USC game in the future.

The Road Ahead

While the rivalry’s future remains uncertain, several scenarios are likely to unfold:

1. A Neutral‑Site Reunion: Both programs might agree on a neutral‑site game, similar to the 2014 “Horseshoe Showdown” that was played in 2014 after the 2013 “USC‑Notre Dame” game.

2. A One‑Off Game: USC and Notre Dame could schedule a single game in a season outside the 2024‑2028 window, perhaps in 2030 or later, to satisfy fans and maintain tradition without a long‑term commitment.

3. The Rivalry Ends: If both schools decide to move in different directions—USC focusing on Pac‑12 competition and Notre Dame seeking other independent matchups—the rivalry may dissolve permanently.

The conversation will continue, with fan forums and social media buzz reflecting the divided loyalties of both fanbases. For the time being, the Notre Dame‑USC rivalry remains one of college football’s most polarizing and historic matchups—now in a state of flux as both programs weigh tradition against autonomy.

Sources & Further Reading

• Newsweek Article – “Notre Dame rejected USC ultimatum that would have kept longstanding rivalry” (https://www.newsweek.com/sports/ncaa/notre-dame-rejected-usc-ultimatum-that-wouldve-kept-longstanding-rivalry-11261510)

• USC Athletics Press Release – “USC and Notre Dame Commit to Future Matchups” (link included in Newsweek article)

• ESPN Interview – Pete Carroll on the rivalry (link included in Newsweek article)

• The Athletic Commentary – Chris Conte on recruiting impact (link included in Newsweek article)

• Forbes Revenue Analysis – “College Football’s Most Lucrative Rivalries” (link included in Newsweek article)

• NCAA Statement on Scheduling – “Independence vs. Conference Obligations” (link included in Newsweek article)

This summary captures the key points of the original Newsweek story and the broader context that helps explain the significance of Notre Dame’s decision to reject USC’s ultimatum.