Big 12 Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
During a public statement, Brett Yormark declared that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for his comments concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Tension
The Fighting Irish maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. Bevacqua has argued that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to advocating for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does great things for Notre Dame, but we bring tremendous football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would make an effort to try to damage us in this procedure,” the athletic director said.
Miami ultimately received the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the head-to-head contest between the two teams. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC conducted a targeted social media effort over several weeks demonstrating its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his conduct has been out of line,” the commissioner commented. “He is completely out of bounds in his method and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
This public criticism is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s unique position. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the concerns of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Speculative Moves
The commissioner also pointed out the lifeline the ACC offered Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its title game.
“It has been egregious,” Yormark said again. “It’s been egregious going after the ACC commissioner, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's public comments on Tuesday appear to make such a move highly improbable in the near term.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP final last season, have announced they are declining a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this season.
