Live updates: Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua addresses the media Tuesday at noon
University of Notre Dame director of athletics Pete Bevacqua’s media tour continued Tuesday on campus.
After uncommon media appearances to lobby for the Irish football program on the Pat McAfee Show last Friday and then defend it on the Dan Patrick Show this Monday, Bevacqua held a news conference for local reporters Tuesday, starting at noon ET. It concluded at 12:40 p.m. ET.
Blue & Gold had live updates from Bevacqua’s news conference beginning around noon. Here’s what Bevacqua said about Notre Dame being left out of the College Football Playoff and the program’s plan of action moving forward. You can re-watch Bevacqua’s news conference here.
Bevacqua: ‘I would never say we wouldn’t match anything when it comes to Marcus.’
12/09/2025 11:38:27 AMWhen addressing Freeman’s standing at Notre Dame, Bevacqua took a hard stance. Blue & Gold reporter Jack Soble reports: Bevacqua said Notre Dame is willing to revise Marcus Freeman’s contract every year so that he’s where he needs to be, both in terms of compensation and support.
Bevacqua talks about Marcus Freeman’s mentality
12/09/2025 11:36:50 AMBlue & Gold beat reporter Tyler Horka reports: “Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua is adamant Fighting Irish football will come back stronger after their CFP snub. Head coach Marcus Freeman is the ultimate motivator.
“This will work to our advantage next year, knowing what I know about Marcus,” Bevacqua said.
Bevacqua addresses the future of the ACC and Notre Dame relationship
12/09/2025 11:33:03 AM“All things can be healed,” Bevacqua said. “I’m not going to be overly dramatic here, but it strained the relationship.”
Bevacqua applauds Notre Dame football’s 2025 season
12/09/2025 11:31:14 AM“This season is not going to become an unfortunate footnote in Notre Dame football,” Bevacqua said.
Notre Dame is still in the business of playing non-CFP bowl games
12/09/2025 11:25:44 AMBevacqua said the decision not to play in the bowl game was solely isolated to this year. They will evaluate whether they participate in other non-CFP bowl games on a year-by-year basis.
Bevacqua talks next steps with the ACC
12/09/2025 11:20:20 AM“To be quite frank, I don’t think an apology does anything,” Bevacqua said. “At the right time, we’ll sit down with the ACC and have a productive conversation. That time is not right now.”
Bevacqua in communication with SEC commissioner Greg Sankey
12/09/2025 11:15:09 AMSince Sunday, Bevacqua said he has been in contact with SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, specifically about the CFP proccess. Sankey is the only Power Four conference commissioner he’s spoken to since Sunday’s rankings release.
Blue & Gold beat reporter Jack Soble said: “Bevacqua knows there will never be a controversy-free format, but he believes 16 teams (five AQs, 11 at-larges) will strike the right balance of including enough teams while maintaining the integrity of the regular season.”
Bevacqua wants changes to how the CFP rankings proccess
12/09/2025 11:12:25 AM“You either have a series of defined metrics, or you have one ranking show at the end. It’s something that has to be fixed,” Bevacqua said. “The rankings can’t be a game of musical chairs at a fifth-grade birthday party.”
Bevacqua angry with ACC’s social media campaign against Notre Dame
12/09/2025 11:08:35 AM“I would tell you, we have the utmost respect for the universities in the ACC,” Bevacqua said. “It’s not about the universities. But what we were surprised and disappointed by the way the ACC went on a social media campaign attacking our football program.
“Why would you attack an important business partner? I don’t see the logic in that.”
Bevacqua believes Notre Dame could have won the national championship
12/09/2025 11:04:09 AM“It boggles my mind that when we stepped off that plane after the Stanford game that our season was over,” Bevacqua said. “We are one of the handful of teams that can win the national championship this year.”
Blue & Gold beat reporter Jack Soble said: Bevacqua continues to stress that Notre Dame and its players were misled throughout this process. “It was just the ultimate gut punch to know that this team doesn’t get to proceed.”
Pete Bevacqua arrives for his press conference
12/09/2025 11:00:34 AMBevacqua arrived for his news conference promptly at 11:59 a.m. ET. In his opening statement, he maintained that he is “shocked” and “mystified” that Notre Dame was left out of the College Football Playoff.