Big 12 Conference Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
In a strong statement, Big 12 Conference commissioner asserted that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent remarks concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root 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 bid to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to pushing for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do great things for Notre Dame, but we bring significant football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to damage us in this selection,” the athletic director remarked.
Miami ultimately received the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the head-to-head contest between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC engaged in a coordinated social media push over multiple weeks showing its support for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark responded to the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his behavior has been egregious,” the commissioner said. “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 response is especially notable given Bevacqua’s special role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Speculative Moves
Yormark also remarked the lifeline the ACC offered Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” he reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable criticizing Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's pointed reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership less likely in the near term.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP final last season, have indicated they plan to decline a postseason invitation after missing out this season.
