Big 12 Chief Calls Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a public statement, Brett Yormark stated that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for recent criticisms about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Dispute
Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. The AD has claimed that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s bid to enter the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to advocating for the selection of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does great things for Notre Dame, but we offer significant football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to damage us in this process,” the athletic director stated.
The Hurricanes eventually secured the CFP spot over Notre Dame, primarily due to securing the direct meeting between the two schools. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC engaged in a coordinated social media campaign over multiple weeks showing its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Response
Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his behavior has been egregious,” Yormark commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
This public criticism is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s prominent standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Future Rumors
The commissioner further remarked the support the ACC offered Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a full ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“It has been egregious,” he reiterated. “It’s been egregious going after the ACC commissioner, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's strong reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario highly improbable in the near term.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP final last season, have indicated they are declining a postseason invitation after missing out this year.
