Big 12 Conference Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
At a strong rebuke, Brett Yormark stated that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for recent remarks targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. The AD has claimed that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide substantial football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would make an effort to try to hurt us in this selection,” Bevacqua remarked.
Miami eventually received the CFP spot over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the direct meeting between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC conducted a coordinated social media push over several weeks indicating its support for Miami.
A Strong Reaction
Later on Tuesday, Yormark spoke about the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his behavior has been unacceptable,” Yormark stated. “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 criticism is particularly striking given Bevacqua’s prominent position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Future Rumors
The commissioner also highlighted the assistance the ACC gave Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its championship game.
“It has been egregious,” Yormark said again. “It’s been unacceptable going after the ACC commissioner, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had circulated about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's public 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 indicated they are declining a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this season.