Big 12 Conference Chief Labels Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
At a notable statement, Big 12 Conference commissioner asserted that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for his remarks about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Controversy
Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s chances to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to advocating for the selection of the University of Miami.
“They do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide significant football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to damage us in this procedure,” the athletic director remarked.
The Hurricanes eventually secured the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the direct meeting between the two schools. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media push over multiple weeks showing its support for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his conduct has been egregious,” Yormark said. “He is totally out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The pushback is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s prominent position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Context and Future Rumors
The commissioner further remarked the support the ACC offered Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its championship game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” he reiterated. “It’s been egregious going after Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had circulated about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's strong reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a move less likely in the immediate future.
The Irish, who reached the CFP final last season, have announced they plan to decline a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this year.
