Big 12 Conference Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
In a strong rebuke, Big 12 Conference commissioner asserted that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for his remarks concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
The Fighting Irish has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. Bevacqua has claimed that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide substantial football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to undermine us in this selection,” the athletic director remarked.
Miami eventually received the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the head-to-head contest between the two programs. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC engaged in a coordinated social media campaign over multiple weeks showing its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his conduct has been out of line,” 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 criticism is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s special role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Historical Context and Speculative Rumors
Yormark further highlighted the lifeline the ACC offered Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a berth in its title game.
“It has been egregious,” Yormark said again. “It’s been egregious attacking the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's pointed reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a move less likely in the near term.
The Irish, who made the CFP championship game last season, have stated they plan to decline a postseason invitation after missing out this year.
