Big 12 Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
At a strong rebuke, Brett Yormark asserted that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for his remarks targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Dispute
Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s chances to enter the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“They do great things for Notre Dame, but we provide substantial football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to damage us in this procedure,” the athletic director stated.
The Hurricanes ultimately received the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the direct contest between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD additionally stated that the ACC conducted a coordinated social media campaign over several weeks showing its support 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,” the commissioner said. “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.”
This public criticism is particularly significant given Bevacqua’s unique position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Future Moves
The commissioner further remarked the lifeline the ACC offered Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete conference schedule and a berth in its championship game.
“It has been egregious,” he reiterated. “It’s been egregious going after the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had circulated about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's public comments on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario highly improbable in the near term.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have indicated they plan to decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this season.
