Big 12 Conference Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
In a public rebuke, Big 12 Conference commissioner asserted that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent criticisms concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Controversy
Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s chances to make the College Football Playoff, instead campaigning for the selection of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do great things for Notre Dame, but we provide tremendous football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would go out of your way to try to undermine us in this process,” Bevacqua stated.
The Hurricanes ultimately earned the CFP berth over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the head-to-head meeting between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media campaign over several weeks demonstrating its support for Miami.
An Egregious Reaction
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his conduct has been out of line,” the commissioner stated. “He is totally out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
This public criticism is particularly striking given Bevacqua’s special position. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Future Rumors
Yormark further remarked the assistance the ACC offered Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a full ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” he reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable going after Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had circulated about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's strong comments on Tuesday appear to make such a move unlikely in the near term.
The Irish, who made the CFP championship game last season, have indicated they will decline a postseason invitation after missing out this year.
