Big 12 Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
During a strong rebuke, Brett Yormark stated that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for public remarks concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Controversy
Notre Dame has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. Bevacqua has argued that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s opportunities to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They does great things for Notre Dame, but we bring substantial 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 eventually secured the CFP spot over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the head-to-head contest between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD additionally stated that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media push over several weeks showing its support for Miami.
An Egregious Reaction
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his conduct has been egregious,” Yormark stated. “He is completely out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
This public response is especially significant given Bevacqua’s special 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 Speculative Rumors
Yormark further pointed out the support the ACC provided Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a berth in its championship game.
“It has been unacceptable,” Yormark said again. “It’s been unacceptable attacking the ACC commissioner, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had circulated about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's pointed reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership unlikely in the immediate future.
The Irish, who made the CFP championship game last season, have stated they plan to decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this year.
