Big 12 Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
In a strong criticism, Brett Yormark declared that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for recent criticisms targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
Notre Dame has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. Bevacqua has claimed that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s bid to enter the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the selection of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we bring substantial football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to hurt us in this selection,” Bevacqua stated.
Miami eventually received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the direct meeting between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD additionally stated that the ACC ran a coordinated social media effort over multiple weeks showing its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his actions has been out of line,” the commissioner stated. “He is totally out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The response is especially striking given Bevacqua’s unique role. 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 Context and Speculative Moves
The commissioner also pointed out the support the ACC gave 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,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable going after Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's pointed reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a move unlikely in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have announced they will decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this year.
