The University will use its $14.5 million payout from the Fiesta Bowl—less the expenses of traveling to the game—to support student financial aid, library acquisitions and scientific instruments for the new Jordan Hall of Science, opening late in 2006.
Under Bowl Championship Series rules, Notre Dame, as an independent, got to keep its entire share of the bowl proceeds this year. Teams in conferences had to share their payout with the other schools in their conferences.
Under a new BCS arrangement, in future years Notre Dame will earn only $4.5 million if it qualifies for a BCS bowl game but will be guaranteed $1.3 million in years it doesn’t qualify.