Full Breakdown
Dave Portnoy and Barstool Sports Removed from Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff”
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 3, 2026, Fox Sports announced that Dave Portnoy and Barstool Sports would no longer appear on the network’s Saturday-morning pre-game program “Big Noon Kickoff.” The decision, first reported by *The Athletic* and confirmed by multiple outlets, ends a partnership that began in mid-2025 when Fox and Barstool struck a multi-year deal to bring the outspoken Michigan alumnus onto the show’s desk.
Background & Context
Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” was launched to compete with ESPN’s “College GameDay.” The show relies heavily on Big Ten matchups; Ohio State University alone has hosted the broadcast 17 times since the program began traveling in 2019. In July 2025, Fox and Barstool announced a partnership that placed Portnoy on the show and spawned the weekday FS1 program “Wake Up Barstool.” Portnoy’s blunt, rivalry-fueling commentary often clashed with the network’s traditional, conference-aligned presentation, especially on location at Ohio State’s campus.
Data & Statistics
- 17 Ohio State home games have been the setting for “Big Noon Kickoff” since 2019.
- The Fox–Big Ten media rights agreement, renewed in 2022, is a seven-year, $7 billion contract that gives Fox a majority stake in the Big Ten Network.
- “Big Noon Kickoff” averaged 1.2 million viewers in Week 1 of the 2026 season, while ESPN’s “College GameDay” drew roughly 2.8 million viewers.
Official Statements & Responses
Fox declined to comment on the personnel change. Ohio State athletics referred all inquiries to Fox, offering no direct response. Barstool’s “Wake Up Barstool” will continue unchanged, and the “Big Noon Kickoff” lineup will revert to its core analysts—Urban Meyer, Matt Leinart, Brady Quinn, Mark Ingram II and host Rob Stone.
Criticism & Opposition
Portnoy publicly blamed Ohio State and head coach Ryan Day for the decision, alleging the school “relentlessly complained” and threatened to withhold access.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Portnoy’s account contrasts with anonymous sources who said there wasn’t a single trigger for the abrupt timing. This highlights a gap between the on-air narrative and behind-the-scenes programming considerations.
Verbatim Quote
- “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,” — Dave Portnoy, Barstool founder
Why It Matters
The removal underscores tension between legacy broadcast models and the edgier, digital-first content networks have courted to attract younger viewers. With Fox’s deep financial ties to the Big Ten, the network appears to prioritize stable conference relationships over the volatility introduced by a polarizing personality.
What’s Next
Fox will proceed with “Big Noon Kickoff” from the University of Minnesota on October 3, 2026, featuring its established analyst panel. Barstool’s “Wake Up Barstool” will remain on FS1, and Portnoy has indicated he will continue producing Barstool-branded college-football content independent of the Fox pre-game show.