Barstool founder Dave Portnoy removed from Fox’s college‑football pre‑game show

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy will no longer appear on Fox’s college‑football pre‑game show “Big Noon Kickoff,” an anonymous source confirmed to the Associated Press. The decision has not been announced publicly, and Fox declined to comment when approached. The Athletic broke the news first. Portnoy later posted on social media that Ohio State University and head coach Ryan Day pushed Fox to drop him, saying the financial stakes were too high for the hassle and that Day often reacts angrily to his remarks. Fox Sports offered no statement, and Ohio State directed all inquiries to the network. The AP also emailed Portnoy seeking comment but received no reply. Fox’s seven‑year, multi‑network agreement with the Big Ten – which also involves NBC and CBS – is the league’s most lucrative, and the broadcaster holds a 61 % ownership stake in the Big Ten Network. Portnoy began contributing to “Big Noon Kickoff” last fall after Barstool and Fox announced a partnership; the panel also includes host Rob Stone and analysts Brady Quinn, Matt Leinart, Mark Ingram and Chris “The Bear” Fallica. A Michigan graduate, Portnoy has frequently mocked Ohio State, and the university barred him from inside Ohio Stadium before the Buckeyes’ season‑opening game against Texas. Ohio State later said its planning meetings with Fox limited on‑site talent to the main broadcast crew, which excluded Portnoy. Barstool still airs a two‑hour weekday morning show on FS1.

Context

The removal highlights how college‑football broadcasters balance large media contracts with the sensitivities of powerful programs like Ohio State, whose influence can affect on‑air talent decisions.