Even when the conference is threatened (which hasn't happened yet)? The Big East isn't going to push Notre Dame out of the conference if they don't join in football, but they need a plan if/when the conference gets raided. Knowing how Notre Dame will act is an important part of that plan. I think they know how ND will react. Swarbrick has been in discussions with the BE during this whole thing. ND's 2 goals have been remaining independent and keeping the Big East afloat. But if the BE says "all or nothing," I think ND walks away pretty quickly. Whether that's to the Big Ten, the ACC, or what, I don't know. But the BE knows they don't get ND for football under any scenario, so keeping the ND brand for all other sports is worth it to them. what ND brand does notre dame have besides football? notre dame is no more relevant than missouri in basketball or nearly any other sport. notre dames big draw is football, thats it.