Report: Notre Dame will remain independent if it can get $75 million from NBC

Notre Dame is aiming to secure a $75 million media rights deal from NBC that would keep the university's football team competing as an independent, according to a report from Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports.

Last month, USC and UCLA moved from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten seemingly knocking down the first of several realignment dominoes. But in the weeks since that announcement, rumors have swirled but no other moves have happened. That's reportedly due in part to conferences waiting for Notre Dame to make a decision on its future.

Oregon and Washington reportedly wanted to follow the Los Angeles schools to the Big Ten but were told the conference is waiting to see if it can land Notre Dame. Another report indicated that Clemson and Florida State are hoping to leave the ACC but may be stuck if the Fighting Irish stay independent.

Getting $75 million from NBC will likely require help, though.

"For NBC to feel comfortable raising Notre Dame's valuation to such a level, it is seeking 'shoulder programming' (in this case, games played before and/or after Notre Dame's contests) from a Power Five conference to enhance its college football coverage," Dodd wrote.

Dodd says the Big Ten and the Big-12 would be the conferences likeliest to provide NBC with a few games to supplement its Notre Dame coverage.