Why Dave Portnoy and Fox Sports’ Big Noon Kickoff are ending partnership? Barstool Sports founder taunts Ryan Day after decision
Dave Portnoy’s Run on Fox Sports’ Big Noon Kickoff Comes to an End
Bharatmorningnews.com – Dave Portnoy and other Barstool Sports personalities will no longer appear on Fox Sports’ Big Noon Kickoff, ending a college-football media partnership that lasted for more than a year.
The separation reflects the difficulty of combining a conventional network pregame production with Barstool’s more confrontational, personality-driven style. Portnoy, Barstool’s founder and a Michigan alumnus, often makes himself part of college football’s biggest rivalries through blunt commentary and online taunts. That approach created particular tension around Ohio State games and ultimately made the arrangement harder to sustain.
A Clash of Styles Around Big Ten Football
Big Noon Kickoff has become a prominent part of Fox’s college football schedule, especially through the network’s relationship with the Big Ten. The show is designed as a broad pregame broadcast built around analysis, game-day atmosphere and major matchups. Barstool brought a different energy: louder, less restrained and closely tied to the reactions of fans online.
Portnoy appeared alongside leading Barstool figures, including Dan “Big Cat” Katz. Their inclusion gave the program access to a large and highly engaged digital audience, but it also introduced recurring complications. The differing expectations surrounding a network television production and Barstool’s irreverent brand became increasingly apparent over time.
One flashpoint involved Portnoy’s presence at Ohio State home games. Because of his Michigan connections and his willingness to needle Buckeyes supporters, coaches and rivals, his appearances drew attention well beyond the usual pregame discussion. He had also faced issues over access to the stadium in the past, with reports last year indicating that he was barred from attending there.
The decision does not mean Barstool is leaving college football coverage. Instead, it ends the company’s role within Fox’s Saturday pregame platform while Barstool continues its own college football programming.
Portnoy Targets Ryan Day in Response
Portnoy reacted publicly after learning that his association with the Fox program was ending. In a post on X, he said he had been informed that an article about his removal from Big Noon Kickoff was imminent, adding that he had not been contacted for comment beforehand.
“Just was told … I’ve been put on ice for @BNKonFOX.”
He then argued that Ohio State coach Ryan Day and the school had pressured the Big Ten and Fox over his presence. Portnoy framed the outcome as a business decision, saying the stakes for Fox were too significant for the conflict to be worthwhile.
“Juice wasnt worth the squeeze.”
His comments quickly turned personal, as Portnoy revived his long-running criticism of Day. He accused the Ohio State coach of objecting repeatedly to his remarks and referred to him as “Cryin Ryan,” a nickname Portnoy has used while discussing the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry.
Portnoy’s criticism is consistent with the role he has embraced in the sport’s most heated regional feud. Michigan and Ohio State have one of college football’s defining rivalries, and the emotions surrounding it often extend well beyond the field. For a prominent Michigan supporter appearing near Ohio State events, that backdrop made every appearance more charged.
What the Split Means for Viewers
For Fox, the move allows Big Noon Kickoff to continue without the recurring controversy tied to Portnoy’s presence. A national broadcast must balance entertainment with relationships involving conferences, schools, teams and the fans who attend its live events. Removing a source of friction may make that balancing act more straightforward.
For Barstool, the break creates an opportunity to focus fully on its own college football coverage rather than fitting its contributors into the format and boundaries of a traditional television partner. Portnoy made clear that the company’s college football show will continue.
“The Barstool College Football will continue on.”
He also suggested that Barstool could still make its way to Columbus, while arguing that many fans enjoy the intensity of the rivalry even if school officials and coaches do not welcome his presence.
The episode underlines the changing nature of sports media. Networks increasingly work with digital creators and outlets that bring dedicated audiences, recognizable personalities and strong social-media reach. Those partnerships can add attention and cultural relevance, but they can also create challenges when a creator’s appeal is built on provocation.
In Portnoy’s case, the same style that made him a notable addition for some viewers also made him difficult to integrate into a major network production centered on Big Ten football. Fox and Barstool will now proceed separately, with Big Noon Kickoff continuing its established pregame format and Barstool carrying on with its own college football coverage.
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