Dave Portnoy out of the Big Noon Kickoff: He points the finger at the one responsible for the decision
Barstool Sports is out of Fox’s Saturday pregame coverage, but its relationship with the network continues
Dave Portnoy and Barstool Sports are no longer part of Fox Sports’ “Big Noon Kickoff,” ending their involvement with the Saturday college football pregame show after a little more than a year.
The decision was first reported by The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, with sources familiar with the situation saying there wasn’t one specific incident behind the move.
However, it appears the challenge of combining Fox’s more traditional sports presentation with Barstool’s provocative style reportedly became increasingly difficult to sustain. Fox declined to comment publicly on the change.
Portnoy , however, offered his own explanation almost immediately. The Barstool founder claimed Ohio State and head coach Ryan Day pressured the Big Ten and Fox over comments he’d made, ultimately contributing to his removal from the program.
“Ohio State and Ryan Day b****hed and moaned to the Big 10 and threatened Fox till they had no choice,” Portnoy wrote on X.
“Juice wasn’t worth the squeeze [and] frankly I don’t blame them. Huge dollars at stake and you have Cryin Ryan throwing temper tantrums [and] making threats every few days on something I said. I always knew Ryan Day was soft but holy s*** even I didn’t realize he was this soft.
“The Barstool College Football will continue on. Maybe we’ll even see you in Columbus where contrary to popular belief most fans love the rivalry and aren’t p****** like Cryin Ryan.”
Those claims haven’t been publicly confirmed by either Ohio State or Fox. Ohio State officials have instead referred questions about the latest decision to Fox, which hasn’t provided a detailed explanation.
Portnoy’s Ohio State history adds another layer
The dispute is particularly notable because Portnoy is a Michigan graduate, booster and outspoken supporter of the Wolverines. His presence around Ohio State has already created controversy.
When Portnoy made his “Big Noon Kickoff” debut in Columbus in August 2025, he appeared in front of the Buckeyes crowd wearing a shirt mocking Ohio State’s record against Michigan.
He later claimed that Ohio State had banned him from entering Ohio Stadium. The university rejected that characterization, explaining that Fox had decided Portnoy wouldn’t be part of the show’s main desk inside the stadium.
The latest decision comes as “Big Noon Kickoff” travels to Minneapolis for Michigan’s matchup with Minnesota, meaning Portnoy’s first absence coincides with a broadcast centered on his alma mater.
Despite the split, Barstool’s relationship with Fox isn’t completely over. “Wake Up Barstool,” the weekday FS1 program featuring Barstool personalities, remains on the network’s schedule. Portnoy has also indicated that Barstool’s own college football production will continue, potentially including a future stop in Columbus.
