Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
At a public rebuke, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent comments concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Controversy
The Fighting Irish maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s chances to enter the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide significant 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 selection,” the athletic director stated.
The Hurricanes eventually secured the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, largely due to winning the direct contest between the two schools. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media effort over multiple weeks showing its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Response
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his conduct has been egregious,” the commissioner stated. “He is totally out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
This public criticism is particularly significant given Bevacqua’s prominent role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Future Moves
Yormark further remarked the lifeline the ACC gave 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 egregious,” he reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable criticizing the ACC commissioner, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's public reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a move unlikely in the near term.
The Irish, who made the CFP championship game last season, have stated they plan to decline a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this season.
