Jim Phillips was asked about Notre Dame’s future at ACC Kickoff in Charlotte on Tuesday morning.

Phillips said that the ACC has had numerous conversations with Notre Dame leadership, but acknowledged that the program plans to keep its independence for at least the foreseeable future.

“We’ve had a lot of conversations, let me just put it bluntly, with Notre Dame,” Phillips said. “And they’ve been very clear. They value their independence. And I think they feel strong that will continue well into the future. If they ever have a desire of joining the conference, they know that we would welcome them with open arms.”

Notre Dame has been an ACC member in non-football sports since the 2013-14 academic year. Phillips said he believes the partnership over the past decade has been beneficial for both parties.

“I can’t speak for Jack [Swarbrick] right now or Pete [Bevacqua] in the future or father John [Jenkins], but I think it’s been a healthy relationship both ways,” Phillips added. “For the ACC and for Notre Dame. Their sports other than football I think have thrived in the ACC. I think they really enjoy the academic prowess that the ACC brings as well. But they’ve been pretty clear about their desire to stay independent so I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”

Notre Dame is in the midst of a transition at the top of its athletic department. Longtime athletic director Jack Swarbrick has announced his retirement and will step aside sometime in 2024 as former NBC Sports executive Pete Bevacqua prepares to take over the role.

Notre Dame is expected to come to a longterm media rights agreement with NBC in the near future. A new deal with NBC, as well as the College Football Playoff’s pending expansion to 12 teams, will likely secure Notre Dame’s place as an independent moving forward.

Notre Dame’s current deal with NBC is set to expire after the 2024 college football season.