Big 12 Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
In a public statement, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for public comments concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Dispute
The Fighting Irish has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. The AD has claimed that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s opportunities to enter the College Football Playoff, instead campaigning for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“They do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we bring substantial football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would make an effort to try to hurt us in this selection,” Bevacqua said.
Miami eventually earned the CFP berth over Notre Dame, largely due to winning the direct matchup between the two schools. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC conducted a coordinated social media campaign over multiple weeks demonstrating its preference for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark spoke about the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his behavior has been out of line,” Yormark stated. “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 response is especially striking given Bevacqua’s prominent role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Future Rumors
Yormark further highlighted the lifeline the ACC provided Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a full conference schedule and a berth in its championship game.
“It has been unacceptable,” he reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable attacking the ACC commissioner, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had circulated about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, Yormark's pointed reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a move highly improbable in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP championship game last season, have indicated they plan to decline a bowl game after missing out this season.
