Big 12 Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
At a strong rebuke, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for public remarks targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s opportunities to make the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do great 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 hurt us in this process,” the athletic director stated.
The Hurricanes ultimately secured the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, primarily due to securing the direct matchup between the two schools. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC ran a coordinated social media effort over several weeks showing its preference for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his behavior has been out of line,” Yormark said. “He is totally out of bounds in his method and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
This public criticism is especially notable given Bevacqua’s unique position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Future Moves
Yormark also pointed out the support the ACC gave Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its championship game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been egregious going after the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had circulated about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's pointed reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a move highly improbable in the near term.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP final last season, have announced they are declining a bowl game after missing out this year.
