Big 12 Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
During a strong rebuke, Brett Yormark declared that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for public remarks targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Tension
The Fighting Irish maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s chances to make the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They does great things for Notre Dame, but we bring tremendous 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 process,” the athletic director remarked.
The Hurricanes ultimately received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the direct contest between the two schools. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC conducted a targeted social media campaign over several weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his behavior has been egregious,” the commissioner commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
This public response is especially striking given Bevacqua’s prominent position. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of football independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Future Rumors
Yormark further remarked the lifeline the ACC provided Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete conference schedule and a berth in its title game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” he reiterated. “It’s been egregious attacking the ACC commissioner, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had spread about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's public comments on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership less likely in the immediate future.
The Irish, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have announced they will decline a postseason invitation after missing out this season.
