Dave Portnoy’s run on Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” is over before the network’s latest stop in Minnesota for Michigan’s game against the Gophers.
The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported on Oct. 2 that Fox has removed the Barstool founder from the college football pregame show. Marchand said there was not one single trigger for the move, but rather a broader clash between Fox Sports’ more traditional style and Barstool’s persona that “proved unsustainable.”
“The sources briefed on the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said there wasn’t one specific reason for the decision’s abrupt timing,” Marchand wrote on Oct. 2.
“But the constant challenge of trying to unite Fox Sports’ more traditional show with Barstool’s persona proved unsustainable.”
Portnoy will not appear on “Big Noon Kickoff” going forward as Fox begins its broadcast from Minnesota ahead of the Big Ten showdown with Michigan.
After the news surfaced, Portnoy jumped on social media and pointed the finger at Ohio State head coach Ryan Day. Portnoy, a vocal Michigan supporter, has long enjoyed needling Ohio State.
“Just was told @AndrewMarchand is about to release an article saying I’ve been put on ice for ("Big Noon Kickoff"),” Pornoy noted in an Oct. 2, message on X. “I havent seen the article yet and he didnt call me for a quote but i can sum it up this way.”
Ohio State and Ryan Day (expletive) 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,” Portnoy added.
“Huge dollars at stake and you have Cryin Ryan throwing temper tantrums (and) making threatsevery few days on something I said. I always knew Ryan Day was soft but holy (expletive) even I didn't realize he was this soft.”
Fox brought Portnoy aboard as part of its effort to chip away at ESPN’s grip on the college football pregame space and “College GameDay.” For now, though, ESPN’s show still holds the edge. Through the first four weeks, “College GameDay” is averaging 2.83 million viewers, according to Front Office Sports, putting it on pace to finish 5% above its 2025 season average.
There’s also ongoing discussion around ESPN’s use of Pat McAfee, who now appears on “Monday Night Countdown” in addition to his daily show and his major role on “College GameDay.” Early returns suggest McAfee continues to boost ESPN’s audience.
As for “Big Noon Kickoff,” the Fox pregame show drew 1.2 million viewers in Week 1, according to Yahoo Sports.
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