Big 12 Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
During a public rebuke, Big 12 chief declared that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for his remarks concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
The Fighting Irish maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s opportunities to enter the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do great things for Notre Dame, but we offer substantial football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to damage us in this selection,” the athletic director said.
Miami eventually received the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, primarily due to securing the head-to-head meeting between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD additionally stated that the ACC ran a targeted social media push over multiple weeks showing its support for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark spoke about the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his conduct has been unacceptable,” the commissioner said. “He is totally out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The pushback is especially notable given Bevacqua’s unique position. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Speculative Rumors
Yormark further pointed out the lifeline the ACC provided Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a full conference schedule and a place in its title game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” Yormark said again. “It’s been unacceptable attacking Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had spread about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's pointed reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership highly improbable in the immediate future.
The Irish, who reached the CFP final last season, have stated they will decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this year.
