Big 12 Conference Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
During a notable rebuke, Big 12 Conference commissioner asserted that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for public criticisms concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Tension
The Fighting Irish maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. Bevacqua has claimed that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s opportunities to make the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“They do great things for Notre Dame, but we offer significant football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to undermine us in this process,” the athletic director said.
The Hurricanes eventually earned the CFP berth over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the head-to-head matchup between the two programs. Bevacqua additionally stated that the ACC engaged in a coordinated social media push over several weeks showing its preference for Miami.
A Strong Response
Later on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his behavior has been unacceptable,” the commissioner said. “He is totally out of bounds in his method and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The criticism is especially significant given Bevacqua’s prominent role. 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 Moves
The commissioner further pointed out the assistance the ACC provided Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a full ACC schedule and a berth in its title game.
“It has been unacceptable,” he reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable going after Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's pointed comments on Tuesday appear to make such a move unlikely in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP championship game last season, have announced they will decline a bowl game after missing out this year.
