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When Notre Dame signed its landmark deal with NBC back in 1990 for the network to have the exclu‑
sive rights to telecast the home games, one of the perceived benefits at the time was to have uniform
1:30 p.m. starting times. Eventually, it turned to 2:30 p.m. and then 3:30 p.m., and in the last five years
night games have been gradually added.
Notre Dame did not have any home night games in the 20 seasons from 1991‑2010, but broke that
string against USC in 2011. Last year, it had two with Texas and USC, and this year there will be two more
with Michigan State and Stanford. Including the off‑site Shamrock Series that is also counted as a Notre
Dame home game, the contract allows for five night games in two years.
Because this year's Shamrock Series contests versus Army (in San Antonio) will be in the afternoon,
the Irish will have two night games in Notre Dame Stadium in back‑to‑back years for the first time ever.
Here were some reactions on BlueandGold.com.
Motown25: I think it's a disservice to ND football to only have 1 night home game a year. The at‑
mosphere is 100% better at night in primetime. If it's because of the NBC television deal, ND needs to
find a way to force NBC to do more night games or get out. NBC used to be a big deal for ND to have
its own network, but now teams from the Big 10 and SEC are making way more from their networks
Notre Dame will play two home night games in back-to-back seasons for the first time ever.
PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA
