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At a public rebuke, Brett Yormark stated that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for public remarks about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Root of the Dispute

Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s chances to enter the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to advocating for the spot of the University of Miami.

“They do great things for Notre Dame, but we bring substantial football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to hurt us in this process,” the athletic director stated.

Miami eventually secured the CFP spot over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the head-to-head matchup between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD additionally stated that the ACC conducted a targeted social media campaign over multiple weeks demonstrating its preference for Miami.

An Egregious Reaction

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,” the commissioner stated. “He is completely out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”

This public response is especially striking given Bevacqua’s unique standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame.

Historical Support and Speculative Moves

Yormark also highlighted the lifeline the ACC provided Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a full conference schedule and a place in its championship game.

“His behavior has been egregious,” he said again. “It’s been unacceptable criticizing Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”

Talk had spread about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's pointed comments on Tuesday appear to make such a scenario highly improbable in the near term.

The Irish, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have announced they are declining a postseason invitation after missing out this season.