Following the addition of Penn State, efforts were made to encourage the University of Notre Dame, at that time the last remaining non-service academy independent, to join the league. In 1999, Notre Dame and the Big Ten entered into private negotiations concerning a possible membership that would include Notre Dame. Although Notre Dame's faculty senate endorsed the idea with a near-unanimous vote, the school's board of trustees decided against joining the conference. (In 1926, Notre Dame had briefly considered official entry into the Big Ten but chose to retain its independent status.) Notre Dame subsequently joined the Atlantic Coast Conference in all sports except football (and hockey), in which Notre Dame maintains its independent status as long as it plays at least five games per season against ACC opponents. This was believed to be the major stumbling block to Notre Dame joining the Big Ten, as Notre Dame wanted to retain its independent home game broadcasting contract with NBC Sports, while the Big Ten insisted upon a full membership with no special exemptions.
following the addition of penn state efforts were made to encourage the university of notre dame at that time the last remaining non-service academy independent to join the league in 1999 notre dame and the big ten entered into private negotiations concerning a possible membership that would include notre dame although notre dame's faculty senate endorsed the idea with a near-unanimous vote the school's board of trustees decided against joining the conference (in 1926 notre dame had briefly considered official entry into the big ten but chose to retain its independent status) notre dame subsequently joined the atlantic coast conference in all sports except football (and hockey) in which notre dame maintains its independent status as long as it plays at least five games per season against acc opponents this was believed to be the major stumbling block to notre dame joining the big ten as notre dame wanted to retain its independent home game broadcasting contract with nbc sports while the big ten insisted upon a full membership with no special exemptions