Dave Portnoy Critiques FOX vs. ESPN Amid ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ Issue
Dave Portnoy, Barstool’s CEO, will not appear in Ohio Stadium as part of FOX’s ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ crew for the second week in a row. His absence continues from Week 1 when Texas faced Ohio State.
Portnoy Addresses FOX and Big Ten Relations
During his regular segment on “The Unnamed Show,” Portnoy expressed that he has no issues with FOX or its assignments. Instead, he directed criticism towards the Big Ten Conference, citing a restriction that prevents Michigan alumni from attending games at Ohio State. As a notable Michigan supporter, he emphasized this point with enthusiasm.
This week, Portnoy and the Barstool College Football (CFB) team will be visiting Mississippi State. He confirmed their strong partnership with FOX Sports, stating, “We have a great relationship with Fox Sports. They have been nothing but great working with us.” He remarked on the stark contrast between FOX and ESPN regarding their collaboration.
Comparison Between FOX Sports and ESPN
Portnoy revealed how much he values his current relationship with FOX, contrasting it with his previous experience with ESPN. Barstool’s brief partnership with ESPN in 2018 included a single episode of “Barstool Van Talk,” which was quickly canceled due to poor ratings.
- Strong Partnership: Portnoy described his interaction with FOX as mutually beneficial, indicating there are no issues on either side.
- FOX vs. ESPN: He noted that working with FOX feels “like the oppo-world of ESPN.”
Portnoy stated, “I think they [FOX Sports] would probably echo a lot of things we say, but this is our partner. We’re going to try and make this work as best we can for everybody.” He reassured that he has no complaints about working with FOX Sports.
Big Noon Kickoff Highlights
The ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ features numerous prominent figures, including former Heisman Trophy winners such as Matt Leinart, Mark Ingram II, and Charles Woodson. Additionally, Urban Meyer, a longtime Ohio State coach, is also part of the show.
FOX Sports launched the initial version of ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ in 2013, but it was temporarily canceled due to low viewership. The show was revived in 2019 as ‘Big Noon Saturday.’ Portnoy joined the team before the start of the 2025 season, securing a daily slot for his show, ‘Wake Up Barstool,’ on FS1 at 8 AM ET.
