Big 12 Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
In a public rebuke, Big 12 Conference commissioner asserted that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent criticisms about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Controversy
The Fighting Irish maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. The AD has claimed that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s bid to make the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the selection of the University of Miami.
“They does wonderful 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 hurt us in this process,” Bevacqua remarked.
The Hurricanes eventually earned the CFP berth over Notre Dame, largely due to winning the direct matchup between the two teams. Bevacqua additionally stated that the ACC ran a targeted social media effort over several weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark spoke about the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his conduct has been egregious,” Yormark said. “He is completely out of bounds in his method and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
This public response is particularly significant given Bevacqua’s prominent position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Speculative Rumors
The commissioner further pointed out the support the ACC offered Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a full conference schedule and a berth in its championship game.
“It has been unacceptable,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable criticizing Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, Yormark's pointed reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a move unlikely in the near term.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP championship game last season, have indicated they plan to decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this season.
