Big 12 Conference Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Comments After CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
During a strong statement, Big 12 Conference commissioner asserted that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent comments concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Controversy
Notre Dame has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s opportunities to enter the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to advocating for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we offer significant football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to hurt us in this procedure,” Bevacqua said.
The Hurricanes eventually earned the CFP spot over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the direct matchup between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC ran a targeted social media effort over several weeks demonstrating its preference for Miami.
A Strong Response
Later on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his behavior has been out of line,” Yormark commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The response is especially notable given Bevacqua’s unique position. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Future Moves
Yormark also pointed out the support the ACC offered Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a berth in its title game.
“It has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been egregious attacking Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had spread about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's pointed comments on Tuesday appear to make such a scenario less likely in the immediate future.
The Irish, who made the CFP final last season, have stated they are declining a bowl game after failing to qualify this season.
