Big 12 Conference Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
At a notable rebuke, Brett Yormark asserted that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for his comments targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Controversy
The Fighting Irish has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s chances to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide substantial football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to damage us in this process,” Bevacqua remarked.
Miami eventually received the CFP spot over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the head-to-head contest between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD additionally stated that the ACC engaged in a coordinated social media campaign over several weeks demonstrating its preference for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his actions has been egregious,” Yormark commented. “He is completely out of bounds in his method and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
This public response is especially 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 football independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Speculative Moves
The commissioner also pointed out the assistance the ACC offered Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a berth in its title game.
“It has been egregious,” he said again. “It’s been egregious going after the ACC commissioner, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had circulated about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's pointed reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a move unlikely in the near term.
The Irish, who made the CFP final last season, have stated they are declining a bowl game after missing out this season.
