Dan Le Batard believes FOX Sports didn’t bring Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy into Big Noon Kickoff for football expertise — they brought him in to be a disruptor. During Monday’s episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, the longtime host speculated on Portnoy’s role in the network’s marquee college football pregame show, suggesting his presence has less to do with X’s and O’s and more to do with eyeballs.
“It probably won’t happen early ‘cause there’s going to be some nerves involved,” Le Batard said. “But I would say that’s the only reason he’s there. Like, why put that person who doesn’t have any particular expertise on college football — he just gambles on it — Why is he there?”
While acknowledging Portnoy’s sports fandom, Le Batard didn’t mince words about the true intent behind the hire.
“He’s good at being controversial, it comes to him [Portnoy] naturally,” said Le Batard. “I assume that he will understand that if he has to be there, he has to fit in. He also has to make his worth known while there.”
Indeed, Portnoy’s past forays into college football via Barstool’s own traveling road show have resonated with younger fans. FOX likely hopes to capture some of that same energy — and the viral clips that follow — by introducing him into an otherwise traditional broadcast format.
“Nothing like him has ever been on the center of one of these things other than Rush Limbaugh,” explained Le Batard. “A politically polarizing person. I don’t think Portnoy will be there to just be a fan. I think he will be there to bring attention, and he knows how to bring attention. He’s good at it. At this point, if he gets fired, it doesn’t matter. He doesn’t need the job.”
However, Le Batard doesn’t believe Portnoy’s presence will fundamentally alter the tone of Big Noon Kickoff. Despite Portnoy’s polarizing persona, Le Batard and his co-hosts suggested the Barstool founder understands the stakes.
“He’s not going to blow up a relationship with FOX or FS1 over doing some stunt on Big Noon Kickoff,” said Billy Gil, executive producer of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz.
Still, the move is unorthodox. Le Batard noted there hasn’t been someone quite like Portnoy in that kind of broadcast spotlight — save perhaps Rush Limbaugh’s brief and controversial stint on NFL Countdown.
“I think he gives off a**hole on purpose, and he’s proud of it,” explained Le Batard.
As part of the partnership announced last week, Portnoy will appear on FOX Sports’ Big Noon Kickoff as a regular contributor. According to a FOX Sports release, Big Noon Kickoff will also feature appearances from a variety of Barstool personalities – including Dan Katz, widely known as “Big Cat.”
Additionally, Barstool College Football Show, the Barstool-produced program will join Big Noon Kickoff on-location for select games throughout the college football season. Barstool College Football Show is set to air across Barstool-owned channels from 9:00-9:45 AM ET as well as across FOX platforms including Tubi, the FOX Sports App and Foxsports.com, and will feature appearances from FOX Sports Big Noon Kickoff talent.
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