Big 12 Conference Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
During a public criticism, Brett Yormark declared that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for public comments about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Tension
The Fighting Irish maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s bid to enter the College Football Playoff, instead campaigning for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They do great things for Notre Dame, but we provide substantial football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would go out of your way to try to damage us in this process,” Bevacqua stated.
The Hurricanes eventually secured the CFP spot over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the direct meeting between the two schools. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC ran a targeted social media effort over several weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
A Strong Response
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark responded to the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his behavior has been unacceptable,” the commissioner said. “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 prominent role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Future Rumors
Yormark further remarked the assistance the ACC offered Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a full ACC schedule and a berth in its title game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” Yormark said again. “It’s been unacceptable attacking Jim Phillips, 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 public comments on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario unlikely in the near term.
The Irish, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have stated they are declining a postseason invitation after missing out this season.
