Dave Portnoy close to blockbuster FOX Sports deal after network's show cancelation flurry
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy is reportedly in talks with FOX Sports regarding a blockbuster partnership that'd include appearances on Big Noon Kickoff.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy is reportedly inching closer towards a blockbuster expansive deal with FOX Sports.
The network has had no shortage of overhaul in recent days, with programs 'Breakfast Ball,' 'The Facility' and 'Speak' all being canceled this week. Joy Taylor — who was named in a bombshell lawsuit earlier this year — fell victim to the wide-sweeping cuts, while Emmanuel Acho conceded that his show was "not good enough."
Following the flurry of changes, FOX Sports and Portnoy are now in talks regarding a partnership that would have him be featured on 'The Big Noon Kickoff' — its college football pregame show — according to Front Office Sports' Ryan Glasspiegel. Barstool content would additionally be aired on F1 should the two sides reach an agreement on a pact. As of writing, no deal has been finalized between the two parties.
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Portnoy would immediately slot in on Big Noon alongside Urban Meyer, Matt Leinart, Brady Quinn, Mark Ingram, Chris “The Bear” Fallica and host Rob Stone. Former NFL defensive back Charles Woodson additionally makes special appearances on the program.
Glasspiegel also noted that FS1 would fill some of its airtime with Barstool content via a licensing agreement, though no details were provided as to which of the digital media company's personalities or shows would be broadcast.
In joining forces with Portnoy, FOX Sports is likely looking to attract more viewers from the 18-to-34 demographic, which tends to enjoy Barstool Sports content. His loud personality would also be able to go toe-to-toe with Pat McAfee's presence on ESPN 'College Gameday.'
Taking to social media, droves of college football fans swiftly expressed their disappointment upon learning about Portnoy's potential union with FOX Sports. "There’s absolutely no way. Dave Portnoy belongs nowhere near serious CFB entertainment. Maybe the Pat McAfee show but certainly not a legitimate serious show," one X user wrote, with another adding: "In all seriousness, what is the appeal of Dave Portnoy? How does he have one fan? Seems like the kind of guy whose mom avoids his calls; I know I avoid his useless content."
A third chimed in, "I don't hate Barstool content, but I'm not sure there's a person I want to watch less on a college football pregame show than Dave Portnoy."
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Others likened the 48-year-old directly to McAfee, who's recently drawn backlash for being featured on too much ESPN content. "Fox Sports matching ESPN's too much Pat McAfee with too much Dave Portnoy is basically choosing which ear you want to bleed first," someone said. Another person wrote: "Dave Portnoy and Pat McAfee in a race to the bottom. Hooray for sports journalism!"
Portnoy poured cold water on his partnership with FOX Sports one hour after Glasspiegel broke the news, insisting that the two sides are still far from putting pen to paper on a deal. "These are nothing more than rumors at this point," he wrote on X. "But all the crying from Columbus is making me feel like it’s Thanksgiving Day weekend again and Michigan is pounding a hapless Buckeye team into the mud for the billionth straight year."
