Big 12 Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
At a public statement, Big 12 Conference commissioner declared that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent comments about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Dispute
Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s opportunities to enter the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to advocating for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“They does great things for Notre Dame, but we provide substantial 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 procedure,” the athletic director said.
The Hurricanes ultimately secured the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, primarily due to securing the head-to-head matchup between the two schools. Notre Dame's AD additionally stated that the ACC engaged in a coordinated social media campaign over multiple weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Response
Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his conduct has been unacceptable,” Yormark commented. “He is completely out of bounds in his method and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
This public response is especially notable given Bevacqua’s unique role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Context and Future Moves
The commissioner further pointed out the support the ACC provided Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its title game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been egregious attacking Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's public comments on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership highly improbable in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP final last season, have announced they will decline a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this year.
