Big 12 Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
At a public rebuke, Big 12 chief asserted that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for public comments about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Controversy
The Fighting Irish has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. Bevacqua has argued that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s opportunities to enter the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to advocating for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we offer tremendous 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 earned the CFP berth over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the direct matchup between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC engaged in a coordinated social media campaign over several weeks showing its support for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his actions has been egregious,” Yormark said. “He is completely out of bounds in his method and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The pushback is especially notable given Bevacqua’s unique standing. 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 assistance the ACC gave Notre Dame in 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 reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable attacking the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's pointed reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership unlikely in the near term.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP championship game last season, have indicated they plan to decline a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this year.
