Big 12 Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Comments After CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
In a public criticism, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent comments targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Dispute
The Fighting Irish has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. Bevacqua has argued that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s chances to enter the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the selection of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we offer significant football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would make an effort to try to undermine us in this selection,” Bevacqua said.
The Hurricanes eventually received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the head-to-head matchup between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC ran a coordinated social media campaign over multiple weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, Yormark spoke about the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his conduct has been egregious,” Yormark commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his method and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The response is particularly significant given Bevacqua’s special role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Speculative Rumors
The commissioner further highlighted the lifeline the ACC gave Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its championship game.
“It has been unacceptable,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable attacking the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's pointed comments on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario less likely in the immediate future.
The Irish, who made the CFP final last season, have indicated they will decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this year.