Big 12 Conference Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
In a strong criticism, Brett Yormark stated that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for his comments concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Controversy
Notre Dame maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to advocating for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“They do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we offer substantial football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to undermine us in this selection,” the athletic director said.
The Hurricanes eventually received the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the head-to-head meeting between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC engaged in a coordinated social media push over multiple weeks demonstrating its support for Miami.
A Strong Reaction
Later on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his behavior has been out of line,” Yormark stated. “He is totally out of bounds in his method and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
This public criticism is particularly striking given Bevacqua’s special standing. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Speculative Moves
The commissioner further pointed out the lifeline the ACC offered Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, providing the Irish a full ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“It has been unacceptable,” Yormark said again. “It’s been egregious attacking Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's strong comments on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership highly improbable in the near term.
The Irish, who made the CFP final last season, have announced they will decline a postseason invitation after missing out this year.
