Big 12 Chief Calls Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
In a notable criticism, Brett Yormark stated that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for public remarks targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Tension
Notre Dame maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s bid to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning for the selection of the University of Miami.
“They does great things for Notre Dame, but we offer tremendous football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to undermine us in this process,” Bevacqua said.
The Hurricanes ultimately received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the direct contest between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC ran a targeted social media effort over multiple weeks indicating its support for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his behavior has been unacceptable,” the commissioner commented. “He is completely out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The criticism is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s special position. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Speculative Rumors
Yormark further pointed out the lifeline the ACC gave Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a full ACC schedule and a place in its championship game.
“It has been unacceptable,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been egregious criticizing Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had circulated about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's strong comments on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario unlikely in the near term.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP final last season, have announced they will decline a postseason invitation after missing out this season.