The Associated Press

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame says it has had talks with the Atlantic Coast Conference about the Orange Bowl.

The ACC signed a 12-year deal with the Orange Bowl last week that starts in 2014, when the postseason format changes to a four-team playoff.

The deal gives ACC members access to Orange Bowl in years the game does not host a national semifinal.

Notre Dame is interested in a deal that would give the Fighting Irish an automatic landing spot in some seasons in which they are good enough to play in a top-tier game but do not make the playoff.

A Notre Dame spokesman says in a statement athletic director Jack Swarbrick has had discussions with ACC officials “relating to the Orange Bowl” and university presidents have been consulted.