Big 12 Conference Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
During a strong rebuke, Big 12 chief asserted that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for his criticisms targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Dispute
Notre Dame maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s opportunities to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we bring tremendous football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to hurt us in this process,” the athletic director said.
The Hurricanes ultimately received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, primarily due to securing the head-to-head matchup between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC conducted a targeted social media campaign over several weeks demonstrating its support for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his actions has been egregious,” the commissioner commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The criticism is particularly significant given Bevacqua’s unique role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Future Rumors
The commissioner further pointed out the assistance the ACC provided Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its championship game.
“It has been egregious,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been egregious going after Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had spread about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's public reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership less likely in the near term.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP final last season, have stated they will decline a bowl game after missing out this year.
