With the college football season set to kick off in just over three weeks, there is growing buzz about what the involvement of Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy will be with FOX Sports’ Big Noon Kickoff program. In fact, the network announced the partnership with the digital content giant last month.
As part of the partnership, Portnoy is set to appear on FOX Sports’ Big Noon Kickoff as a regular contributor. Moreover, 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.”
Recently, Portnoy discussed the latest with what he knows of his involvement on the program during Thursday’s The Unnamed Show.
“I don’t even know how they’re using me yet. I don’t know that I’m on the panel,” explained Portnoy. “It appears to me, by the media coverage, people think I am the center of attention. I don’t think that’s how it’s going. I don’t know how we’re being used yet.”
The Barstool Sports founder explained he has yet to have a call with FOX Sports. He still does not know exactly what his role will be with the signature weekly college football pregame show. Additionally, Portnoy confirmed that the entire Barstool Sports college football crew will be there for kickoff between Texas and Ohio State on August 30.
While Portnoy agreed that it’s getting close to the debut on the program, he believes FOX Sports has an idea already, even though it hasn’t been communicated.
“They have a clue. They already have a big panel,” explained Portnoy. “I had an idea. Why don’t we just have me listening in a corner and I keep notes. [Where] with everybody I hate what they said, I get a section just to attack them after.”
Although there still is some mystery to the actual plans for Big Noon Kickoff, Portnoy remains positive and is looking forward to seeing what happens.
“I am excited. I’m curious to see how it goes,” said Portnoy.
Furthermore, as part of the arrangement with FOX Sports, Barstool Sports will debut a two-hour daily program on FS1 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Portnoy confirmed that the program will start the week of the first weekend of college football, which would land on August 25.
However, FOX Sports has not confirmed that debut date.
Portnoy stated in July that FOX Sports will be building a set for the show at the Barstool Sports headquarters in Chicago, where the show will air from. According to FOX, the program will be produced and delivered by Barstool Sports and will feature popular Barstool personalities and FOX Sports talent guest appearances.
“I love my crew. I have what I think is an all-star crew,” Portnoy said of the staff on the new FS1 program. “Here’s an announcement. We hired Jason Williams. He’s a Barstool guy. He reached out to me… He follows everything. He knows all sports, he watches everything. I think he’ll be a good fit and he’ll be part of that FS1 show.”
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