During a notable rebuke, Big 12 chief declared that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for recent remarks concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. Bevacqua has argued that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s opportunities to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we offer tremendous football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to damage us in this process,” Bevacqua stated.
Miami ultimately received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the head-to-head meeting between the two schools. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC conducted a coordinated social media push over multiple weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Reaction
Later on Tuesday, Yormark spoke about the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his conduct has been unacceptable,” the commissioner said. “He is totally out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The response is especially significant given Bevacqua’s special standing. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Speculative Rumors
The commissioner also highlighted the support the ACC gave Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete conference schedule and a berth in its championship game.
“It has been egregious,” Yormark said again. “It’s been unacceptable going after Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had circulated about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's strong comments on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership less likely in the near term.
The Irish, who made the CFP final last season, have announced they plan to decline a postseason invitation after missing out this season.
