Big 12 Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Comments After 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 recent comments about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Controversy
The Fighting Irish has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s bid to make the College Football Playoff, instead campaigning for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide significant football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would go out of your way to try to damage us in this selection,” the athletic director stated.
Miami eventually received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, largely due to winning the direct contest between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC engaged in a coordinated social media effort over multiple weeks showing its support for Miami.
A Strong Response
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark responded to the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his conduct has been out of line,” the commissioner said. “He is totally out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The criticism is especially striking given Bevacqua’s prominent role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Future Rumors
Yormark further pointed out the support the ACC provided Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its championship game.
“It has been egregious,” he said again. “It’s been egregious going after 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. Yet, the commissioner's public comments 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 bowl game after missing out this year.
