Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Last week, it was reported that Fox Sports had signed a deal with Barstool Sports that would see company founder Dave Portnoy join its college football Saturday pregame show, Big Noon Kickoff. Additional reports indicate the network wants to turn Portnoy into an “on-air Big 10 fanboy.”
Taking on the role of fan boy certainly won’t be anything new for Dave Portnoy, who has built a brand around his unabashed support of his favorite sports teams, once infamously getting arrested for protesting Tom Brady’s suspension at the NFL’s offices in New York City.
Similar to how ESPN has the likes of Paul Finebaum carrying water for the SEC, Fox is hoping Portnoy will do the same for the Big 10 on their airwaves.
Fox Sports reportedly wants Dave Portnoy to be a ‘Big 10 fanboy’ on Big Noon
“Fox executives see a chance to insert a big personality to their lineup, and to leverage Portnoy’s Michigan fandom, which dovetails naturally with their Big Ten rights package,” reported Puck News.
“After all, ESPN has a number of high-profile commentators, like Paul Finebaum, who openly advocate for the SEC, especially when it comes to getting teams in the College Football Playoff. (ESPN, of course, holds all of the SEC’s media rights through 2034.) In short, Fox executives and Big Ten officials wanted an on-air fanboy of their own.”
Appearing on Fox News in the wake of the deal, Portnoy said he’s going to be on the show every week and naturally gave a glimpse of the pro-Michigan bias he’ll be bringing to the program.
“I’m going to be on the road every single week with these guys. It’s about time Michigan gets represented. Since we do run the conference, it’s only natural you have an alumni there,” Portnoy said.
Portnoy added that other Barstool personalities will be involved in the Fox Sports’ coverage. While he didn’t specifically name them, Pardon My Take co-hosts Dan Katz and PFT Commenter seem like the likeliest options.
“FOX Sports really wanted the Barstool feel. They want what makes us attractive, which is, you have a bunch of idiots just trying to get along in the world, make people laugh,” Portnoy added.
“It’s a totally new chapter for us. We’ve never partnered with a network as big, as many resources, as much talent as FOX Sports that is invested in us They’re as excited about it as we are. So, you know, the sky’s the limit.”
Big Noon — with Portnoy and the additional Barstool cast of characters in tow — will begin its 2025 season with a Week 1 showdown in Ohio as the University of Texas heads to Columbus to take on the defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes.