Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
At a strong rebuke, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for public remarks about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Controversy
Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s opportunities to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning for the selection of the University of Miami.
“They does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we bring substantial football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would make an effort to try to undermine us in this process,” the athletic director said.
Miami eventually received the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the direct matchup between the two teams. Bevacqua additionally stated that the ACC conducted a targeted social media push over several weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
A Strong Response
Later on Tuesday, Yormark responded to the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his conduct has been unacceptable,” the commissioner stated. “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.”
The criticism is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s special role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of football independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Speculative Rumors
The commissioner also pointed out the support the ACC gave Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a full ACC schedule and a place in its championship game.
“It has been egregious,” he reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable going after the ACC commissioner, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's strong reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership highly improbable in the near term.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP final last season, have indicated they are declining a postseason invitation after missing out this year.
