Notre Dame will only join a conference when absolutely, beyond a doubt, necessary.
And it may be coming necessary in a P2 and "others" world...but the Domers will hold out until that becomes a near reality.
Back in 1999:
Notre Dame was offered by the Big Ten and the Irish students and alumni adamantly opposed such a move.
The University of Notre Dame’s Board of Trustees decided Friday the private school will not join the Big Ten, ending months of speculation that Notre Dame could become the conference’s 12th member.
“Notre Dame has a distinct identity that is the product of more than a century-and-a-half of institutional independence,” Malloy said. “As a Catholic university with a national constituency, we believe independence continues to be our best way forward, not just in athletics, but, first and foremost, in fulfillment of our academic aspirations.”
Times do change...we'll see.