Big 12 Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a notable criticism, Brett Yormark stated that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for public comments about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s bid to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“They do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide significant football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would make an effort to try to hurt us in this process,” Bevacqua said.
Miami ultimately earned the CFP spot over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the head-to-head contest between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC ran a coordinated social media push over multiple weeks demonstrating its support for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark spoke about the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his behavior 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.”
The pushback is especially striking given Bevacqua’s prominent role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Historical Context and Future Rumors
The commissioner also pointed out the lifeline the ACC provided Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its championship game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” Yormark said again. “It’s been egregious attacking the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had circulated about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, Yormark's pointed comments on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership less likely in the near term.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP championship game last season, have indicated they are declining a bowl game after missing out this season.
