Big 12 Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
At a public statement, Big 12 Conference commissioner stated that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for recent comments concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Tension
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 harmed Notre Dame’s chances to make the College Football Playoff, instead campaigning for the selection of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do great things for Notre Dame, but we bring significant football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to undermine us in this process,” the athletic director remarked.
The Hurricanes ultimately received the CFP spot over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the direct contest between the two schools. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC ran a coordinated social media effort over several weeks demonstrating its preference for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his behavior has been egregious,” the commissioner said. “He is completely out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
This public pushback is especially notable given Bevacqua’s prominent role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the concerns of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Speculative Moves
Yormark further highlighted the support the ACC offered Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a full ACC schedule and a berth in its championship game.
“It has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been unacceptable criticizing Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame potentially leaving 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 reached the CFP championship game last season, have announced they are declining a postseason invitation after missing out this season.