Big 12 Conference Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Comments After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
During a public rebuke, Brett Yormark declared that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for public criticisms targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. The AD has claimed that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do great things for Notre Dame, but we provide tremendous football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would make an effort to try to damage us in this process,” Bevacqua said.
The Hurricanes eventually received the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the head-to-head meeting between the two teams. Bevacqua additionally stated that the ACC ran a coordinated social media campaign over multiple weeks showing its support for Miami.
A Strong Reaction
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his actions has been out of line,” Yormark commented. “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 pushback is especially striking given Bevacqua’s prominent position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Speculative Rumors
The commissioner further highlighted the assistance the ACC offered Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a full conference schedule and a place in its championship game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” he said again. “It’s been unacceptable attacking Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had spread about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, Yormark's pointed comments on Tuesday appear to make such a move unlikely in the near term.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have indicated they plan to decline a postseason invitation after missing out this season.
