Big 12 Conference Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
At a public rebuke, Brett Yormark declared that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for public remarks concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Dispute
Notre Dame has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s opportunities to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to pushing for the selection of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do great things for Notre Dame, but we bring significant football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to undermine us in this selection,” the athletic director remarked.
Miami eventually earned the CFP berth over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the head-to-head contest between the two schools. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC ran a coordinated social media campaign over multiple weeks demonstrating its support for Miami.
A Strong Response
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his actions has been unacceptable,” the commissioner said. “He is totally out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The criticism is especially notable given Bevacqua’s prominent role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Speculative Moves
The commissioner also pointed out the assistance the ACC gave Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a full conference schedule and a place in its title game.
“It has been egregious,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable attacking Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had spread about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's public comments on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario less likely in the near term.
The Irish, who made the CFP final last season, have announced they plan to decline a bowl game after missing out this season.
