Big 12 Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a public statement, Brett Yormark stated that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for his criticisms about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Dispute
Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s opportunities to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning for the selection of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we offer significant football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would make an effort to try to undermine us in this procedure,” the athletic director stated.
The Hurricanes ultimately secured the CFP berth over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the direct meeting between the two teams. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media push over multiple weeks demonstrating its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Reaction
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark spoke about the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his actions has been out of line,” the commissioner stated. “He is totally out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
This public criticism is particularly significant given Bevacqua’s unique position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Future Moves
The commissioner also pointed out the support the ACC provided Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete conference schedule and a berth in its championship game.
“It has been unacceptable,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been egregious going after Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had spread about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's public reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a move unlikely in the near term.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP final last season, have indicated they plan to decline a bowl game after missing out this year.
