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Post being replied to

I didn't see a definitive commitment attributed to Swarbrick by ndzippy

Nowhere in the piece was Swarbrick quoted as being 100% committed to independence.

Here's one quote from him:

"There is no financial advantage to Notre Dame being independent in terms of operations. It costs us money. We would be much better off all in with the ACC or any Power 5 conference. But it is the broader value it produces. And this is the dynamic that's always a bit hard to articulate and engage in for the fans just focused on whether you're going to win the national championship. That is very important to all of us, but the decisions we make don't just drive to that question."

Here's another:

"It's so much coded into the DNA of the place. It starts with the founder, who was remarkably independent in a host of ways. It starts with the early success of football right at a time where you couldn't join club, because of the politics that have been chronicled about that period of time. This place is more distinct in the American college and university landscape today than it's ever been. And (independence) is part of that."

Bubba Cunningham's quote actually provides an "out" clause for ND:

"They need to have access to the championship. They need to maintain a TV contract. They need a place for their Olympic sports in a competitive league. If they have those three things, they’re going to maintain their independence. If any one of those three are not available, they’ll have to reconsider."

The most definitive quote about ND's independence actually comes from an alumnus, Jimmy Dunne:

"The $20 million is significant. Think of the scholarships and the leveraging potential of $20 million, because that’s where it would go, it would go to scholarships. That means we have to get together and make up for it. We understand what $20 million after taxes is all about. But our independence is worth more."