Big 12 Conference 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's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for public comments about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Dispute
The Fighting Irish maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s bid to make the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the selection of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does great 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 procedure,” the athletic director stated.
Miami ultimately earned the CFP spot over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the head-to-head meeting between the two programs. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC ran a targeted social media campaign over several weeks showing its support for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his conduct has been unacceptable,” the commissioner stated. “He is completely out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The pushback is especially striking given Bevacqua’s unique standing. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Future Rumors
Yormark further highlighted the lifeline the ACC provided Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a full conference schedule and a place in its title game.
“It has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been unacceptable attacking Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had circulated about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, Yormark's public comments on Tuesday seem to make such a move unlikely in the immediate future.
The Irish, who made the CFP championship game last season, have announced they plan to decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this season.
