Big 12 Conference Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
At a public statement, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for recent remarks about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
The Fighting Irish maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement 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 make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning for the selection of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we offer substantial football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to damage us in this process,” Bevacqua stated.
Miami ultimately secured the CFP berth over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the head-to-head meeting between the two teams. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC conducted a targeted social media campaign over several weeks showing its support for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, Yormark spoke about the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his behavior has been out of line,” Yormark said. “He is totally out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The criticism is particularly significant given Bevacqua’s unique standing. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Future Rumors
Yormark also highlighted the support the ACC gave Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a berth in its title game.
“It has been egregious,” he reiterated. “It’s been egregious attacking the ACC commissioner, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had spread about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's public comments on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership highly improbable in the near term.
The Irish, who made the CFP final last season, have indicated they are declining a bowl game after failing to qualify this year.
