Big 12 Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
In a notable statement, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for public remarks concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Tension
Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. Bevacqua has claimed that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s bid to make the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does great 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 undermine us in this selection,” the athletic director said.
Miami ultimately secured the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the head-to-head meeting between the two programs. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC ran a targeted social media campaign over several weeks demonstrating its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Response
Later on Tuesday, Yormark responded to the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his actions has been out of line,” Yormark said. “He is completely out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The response is particularly significant given Bevacqua’s special standing. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Historical Context and Speculative Moves
Yormark further pointed out the lifeline the ACC offered Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a full ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” Yormark said again. “It’s been unacceptable attacking Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had spread about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's pointed comments on Tuesday appear to make such a move less likely in the near term.
The Irish, who reached the CFP final last season, have indicated they will decline a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this year.
