Big 12 Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
During a public statement, Big 12 Conference commissioner stated that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent remarks about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. Bevacqua has claimed that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s chances to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we bring significant 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 selection,” the athletic director remarked.
The Hurricanes ultimately earned the CFP berth over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the head-to-head contest between the two schools. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC conducted a coordinated social media push over several weeks indicating its support for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his conduct has been egregious,” the commissioner commented. “He is completely out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
This public criticism is especially significant given Bevacqua’s unique position. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Speculative Moves
Yormark also remarked the assistance the ACC provided Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a berth in its title game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” Yormark said again. “It’s been unacceptable criticizing Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had circulated about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's strong comments on Tuesday appear to make such a move less likely in the near term.
The Irish, who reached the CFP final last season, have announced they will decline a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this season.
