Three years ago today, sportscaster Tim Brando made a prediction on The Audible podcast that the Notre Dame Fighting Irish would join the Atlantic Coast Conference in football within three years.
The comment came during a discussion with Bruce Feldman and Stewart Mandel, then both with FOX, about the ACC Network — which Sports Illustrated’s Pete Thamel had called “imminent” one day prior.
“It’s a little early to be thinking about starting a linear network now, given the economics,” said Brando, as transcribed by The Spun. “It may not be the time in a year or two years, but in three years I believe you’ll be looking right down the pipe at an ACC Network, and I think the reason will be Notre Dame elected to become a full-time member.