Notre Dame’s Playoff Snub Saga Takes a Petty Turn: Bookstore Blunder Adds Fuel to the Fire — But Is It Justified Frustration or Sore Loserdom?
Imagine being left out of the biggest party of the year, then accidentally (or not?) canceling an event hosted by one of the people who kept you off the guest list. That’s essentially what happened to Notre Dame after being snubbed from the 2025 College Football Playoff—a snub that’s now spiraled into a full-blown PR fiasco. Over 72 hours have passed since the Fighting Irish learned they wouldn’t be competing for the national title, and instead of gracefully accepting the decision, the university seems determined to double down on its disappointment in the most awkward ways possible.
While athletic director Pete Bevacqua has been busy deflecting blame onto the ACC and patting the program on the back, the university found itself in hot water again when the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore briefly canceled a book signing event featuring Ivan Maisel. And this is the part most people miss: Maisel isn’t just any author—he’s a member of the very CFB Playoff Committee that left Notre Dame out of the 12-team field. Talk about awkward timing.
Maisel’s book, American Coach: The Triumph and Tragedy of Notre Dame Legend Frank Leahy, released in September, was set to be the focus of the event. But after the cancellation was reported by Matt Fortuna of The Inside Zone and gained traction on social media, the bookstore backtracked, reinstating the signing just 90 minutes later. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was this a genuine scheduling mishap, or a calculated move to avoid facing frustrated fans? Maisel himself expressed disappointment, telling The Inside Zone, ‘I look forward to hearing people out and talking about my book.’
On the surface, it’s not shocking that the bookstore would hesitate to host an event featuring someone tied to Notre Dame’s exclusion. Emotions are high in South Bend, and fans are already revolting on social media. But even if the cancellation was reversed, the damage was done. It’s just the latest chapter in a three-day saga that includes Notre Dame declining all bowl game invitations and Bevacqua bizarrely pointing fingers at the ACC. Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark didn’t hold back, slamming the program for its handling of the situation.
Here’s the bigger question: Is Notre Dame’s reaction justified frustration, or are they coming off as sore losers? The CFB Playoff Committee made it clear that regular-season games matter—Notre Dame’s Week 1 loss to Miami ultimately sealed their fate, pushing the Hurricanes into the Playoff. But instead of reflecting on what went wrong, the university seems more focused on airing grievances. From an outsider’s perspective, what was once a gold standard program is now looking like a ship without a compass.
What do you think? Is Notre Dame’s response understandable, or have they crossed the line into petty territory? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s far from over.
