Big 12 Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Comments After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a public criticism, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for public comments about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Dispute
Notre Dame maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s opportunities to enter the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide tremendous football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would go out of your way to try to hurt us in this selection,” Bevacqua stated.
The Hurricanes eventually received the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, largely due to winning the head-to-head matchup between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media campaign over several weeks showing its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his behavior has been out of line,” the commissioner commented. “He is completely out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
This public response is especially significant given Bevacqua’s special role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Future Rumors
Yormark also pointed out the support the ACC gave Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, providing the Irish a full conference schedule and a place in its title game.
“It has been egregious,” Yormark said again. “It’s been egregious going after the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, Yormark's pointed reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership unlikely in the near term.
The Irish, who made the CFP championship game last season, have stated they will decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this year.
