In a move that reflects the shifting landscape of college athletics, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are reportedly preparing to make significant budget cuts across 17 of their sports programs. While the football team continues to invest heavily to stay competitive in the NIL era, other athletic departments are feeling the pinch.

According to a recent episode of the Irish Illustrated Insider, these cuts will include reduced budgets and a decrease in scholarship availability for many sports. For instance, the baseball team's scholarships are expected to drop to just 10.2 in the coming years. The only programs spared from these reductions are football, men's and women's basketball, volleyball, hockey, men's and women's soccer, and men's and women's lacrosse—essentially, the revenue-generating and high-profile sports.

This decision is particularly tough for Notre Dame baseball, which made a memorable run to the College World Series in Omaha as recently as 2022. However, the program has struggled since, losing 20 or more games in four straight seasons and finishing 2026 with a losing conference record for the third year in a row.

Notre Dame isn't alone in this trend. Earlier this spring, Arkansas announced it would drop its men's and women's tennis programs due to financial constraints. As more schools funnel resources into football and other revenue-generating sports, the ripple effects are being felt across the board—meaning fewer scholarships and, in some cases, fewer sports available for student-athletes nationwide.

Meanwhile, the Fighting Irish are projected to spend over $30 million on their football roster this season alone—a figure that, while substantial, is still believed to be less than what some other top programs are shelling out. It's a stark reminder of where collegiate sports are headed, as universities prioritize the big-money sports while tightening the belts everywhere else.