One of college football’s most storied rivalries is at a crossroads, and the financial stakes for the University of Southern California (USC) have never been higher.
While it is reported that the series might end in 2025, a dedicated alum and USC booster is threatening to remove the university from his will if the Trojans cancel the rivalry.
USC Booster Threatens to Rewrite Will Over Notre Dame Series Drama
Since it started in 1924, the USC-Notre Dame rivalry has been called the top intersectional game in college football and has only been missed in years of World War II and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it’s unknown at this point what will happen with the series.
Both schools’ current contracts will end once this season finishes, while talks about a new deal have stopped. USC has offered a one-year extension to play the game at the Coliseum in 2026, but Notre Dame seeks a long-term contract.
The USC coaches are hesitant because of uncertainties over the College Football Playoff (CFP) and concerns about traveling further since joining the Big Ten.
There is a strong reaction among USC donors now that the rivalry might be coming to an end. Some long-time financial supporters of the program are now writing to the USC Board of Trustees to share their concerns. One booster, whose identity has not been disclosed, has gone so far as to threaten to remove USC from his will if the series is canceled.
Some USC boosters are beginning to reach out to the Board of Trustees about the future of the Notre Dame game. One said he will take USC out of his will if the rivalry is canceled
— InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) May 22, 2025
As a result of this threat, we see the intense emotional and financial commitment many longtime supporters have toward the rivalry. A Notre Dame game is always special for the Trojan boosters since it helps shape USC’s real identity.
The university’s athletic director, Cody Worsham, says the school is eager to keep playing in the rivalry, since it has a meaningful impact on fans and the university. Even so, the school’s leaders are hesitant about a long-term endorsement because the CFP and joining the Big Ten might cause shifting logistics.
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Meanwhile, Notre Dame’s athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, has clarified that his school wants the series to continue annually for as long as college football exists.
While negotiations are ongoing, booster support might determine what happens to this competition. Dangling the possibility of losing significant funds is a powerful form of leverage now that athletic organizations depend on donor gifts. Both schools say they want the series to continue, but the path forward remains uncertain.
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