Big 12 Conference Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
At a strong rebuke, Big 12 Conference commissioner stated that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for public criticisms about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Dispute
Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s bid to make the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does great things for Notre Dame, but we provide substantial football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would make an effort to try to undermine us in this procedure,” Bevacqua remarked.
The Hurricanes eventually secured the CFP berth over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the direct meeting between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media effort over multiple weeks demonstrating its support for Miami.
An Egregious Reaction
Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his conduct has been unacceptable,” the commissioner stated. “He is totally out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The response is particularly striking given Bevacqua’s special position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Future Moves
The commissioner also pointed out the assistance the ACC provided Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a full conference schedule and a place in its title game.
“It has been egregious,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable criticizing Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had spread about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's strong reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a scenario unlikely in the near term.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have stated they plan to decline a bowl game after missing out this season.