Big 12 Conference Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
During a public rebuke, Brett Yormark asserted that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for his comments about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Dispute
The Fighting Irish has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. Bevacqua has argued that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s bid to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to pushing for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide significant football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to damage us in this procedure,” the athletic director said.
The Hurricanes eventually received the CFP spot over Notre Dame, primarily due to securing the direct meeting between the two schools. Bevacqua additionally stated that the ACC ran a coordinated social media push over multiple weeks showing its preference for Miami.
A Strong Reaction
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his conduct has been egregious,” Yormark stated. “He is totally out of bounds in his method and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The response is especially notable given Bevacqua’s special standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Speculative Moves
The commissioner further remarked the assistance the ACC gave Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a full ACC schedule and a place in its championship game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” Yormark said again. “It’s been unacceptable criticizing the ACC commissioner, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had spread about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's public reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership unlikely in the immediate future.
The Irish, who made the CFP championship game last season, have stated they will decline a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this season.
