Big 12 Conference Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
At a notable statement, Big 12 Conference commissioner stated that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for his criticisms about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
The Fighting Irish has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s bid to make the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the selection of the University of Miami.
“They do great things for Notre Dame, but we offer significant football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would go out of your way to try to damage us in this selection,” the athletic director remarked.
The Hurricanes eventually received the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the direct meeting between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC ran a targeted social media effort over multiple weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Reaction
Later on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his conduct has been egregious,” Yormark said. “He is totally 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 significant given Bevacqua’s unique standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Speculative Moves
The commissioner also pointed out the support the ACC offered Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its championship game.
“It has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been unacceptable attacking Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had circulated about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's strong reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership less likely in the near term.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP final last season, have announced they will decline a postseason invitation after missing out this year.