Dave Portnoy and Barstool Sports Exit Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff
Bharatmorning.com – Dave Portnoy and other Barstool Sports personalities will no longer be part of Fox Sports’ Big Noon Kickoff, ending a collaboration that had placed the outspoken media figure alongside one of college football’s most prominent pregame shows.
Portnoy confirmed the split publicly after news of the decision emerged. He and Barstool figures including Dan “Big Cat” Katz had appeared on the program for more than a year, bringing a louder and more confrontational style to Fox’s Saturday college football coverage.
The separation reflects the difficulty of combining Barstool’s deliberately provocative voice with a network show built around major conference relationships, traditional broadcast coverage and high-profile game-day access. Fox’s close ties to the Big Ten added another layer to that balancing act.
Michigan-Ohio State Tension Was a Recurring Issue
Portnoy, a University of Michigan alumnus and booster, has long made the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry a central part of his public persona. His social-media posts and appearances frequently include taunts aimed at Ohio State, its supporters and coach Ryan Day.
That rivalry became particularly sensitive when Big Noon Kickoff traveled to Ohio State home games. Portnoy had previously faced questions over whether he would be permitted inside the stadium, and reports last season said he had been barred from attending a Michigan-Ohio State matchup at Ohio Stadium.
For a national television partner working closely with the Big Ten, those disputes created complications beyond the usual sports-talk theatrics. The program’s hosts, analysts and guests are expected to promote the games while navigating relationships with schools, coaches, conference officials and fans across the league.
Barstool’s style can generate attention and engagement, but it is also rooted in the kind of antagonism that can become difficult to manage when a broadcast is tied to an official conference media partnership. The decision means Fox will move forward without Portnoy’s on-air presence, while Barstool continues its own college football programming.
Portnoy Blames Ryan Day and Ohio State
Portnoy reacted sharply on X, saying he had learned an article about his status with the show was imminent before he had been contacted for comment. He framed the issue as pressure from Ohio State and Ryan Day rather than a simple programming decision.
“Just was told @AndrewMarchand is about to release an article saying I’ve been put on ice for @BNKonFOX I havent seen the article yet and he didnt call me for a quote but i can sum it up this way.”
He then alleged that Ohio State and Day had pushed Big Ten and Fox officials to end the arrangement. Portnoy also argued that the financial stakes surrounding Fox’s conference partnership made the conflict too costly to continue.
“Ohio State and Ryan Day bi**hed and moaned to the Big 10 and threatened Fox till they had no choice. Juice wasnt worth the squeeze amd frankly I dont blame them. Huge dollars at stake and you have Cryin Ryan throwing temper tantrums amd making threats every few days on something I said. I always knew Ryan Day was soft but holy sh*t even I didnt realize he was this soft.”
Those remarks continued Portnoy’s familiar criticism of Day, whom he has repeatedly targeted in connection with the rivalry. His comments were his own characterization of the circumstances surrounding the split.
Barstool’s College Football Coverage Will Continue
Despite the end of the Fox relationship, Portnoy made clear that Barstool does not intend to step away from college football. The company has built a sizable presence around sports commentary, live events and personality-driven coverage, and Portnoy indicated that its football content will remain active.
“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 arent p***ies like Cryin Ryan.”
The episode highlights the unusual place Barstool occupies in the sports-media landscape. Its personalities can draw audiences by leaning into the emotional side of rivalries, especially in college football, where school identity and fan loyalty often shape every conversation. At the same time, network partners must weigh that appeal against the demands of access, sponsorship, conference relationships and broadcast standards.
For viewers, the immediate impact is straightforward: Portnoy and the familiar Barstool contingent will no longer be part of Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff presentation. The broader rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State, however, is unlikely to lose any intensity. Portnoy has made clear that he plans to keep fueling it through Barstool’s independent coverage.
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