FOX Sports’ announced a new partnership with Barstool Sports last month, including a new Barstool program airing on FS1 and integration with FOX Sports’ Big Noon Kickoff program. FOX Sports personality Chris Fallica (a.k.a. The Bear) shared his perspective on the collaboration during a recent appearance on the God Bless Football podcast.
Fallica described the partnership as a strategic move that could expand the reach and energy of Big Noon Kickoff. The Barstool-produced show, which airs on select college campuses during Saturday mornings, will now be positioned within the Big Noon Kickoff footprint on select dates at certain locations.
“Instead of waiting to come around, you’re going to go over and see Big Cat, Portnoy and Brandon,” Fallica said, referencing key Barstool personalities who will be on site for a limited number of times during the season. “That’s going to automatically lead to you naturally gravitating towards the Big Noon set at 10. So, it’s a great promotional lead-in vehicle for Big Noon from 9 to 10 when they’re on site.”
Fallica believes the Barstool brand, and particularly founder Dave Portnoy, will bring a new dimension to the show.
“Bringing in a guy who is a kind of a lightning rod in Dave Portnoy, and is an opinionated, authentic guy, I think it’s going to be good for the show,” Fallica said. He noted, however, that Portnoy’s appearances are likely to be intermittent rather than every segment, allowing flexibility for various features, including man-on-the-street interactions and betting segments.
Fallica also highlighted FOX’s willingness to experiment during morning programming on FS1 following the cancellation of Breakfast Ball, and inserting a Barstool-produced product as its replacement.
“You can only give a variation of a debate show so many times when you realize, maybe your debate show isn’t going to do well against Stephen A. Smith and First Take,” he said. “I’ll give all the credit in the world for trying to appeal to a different audience there. I’m looking forward to it.”
The FOX-Barstool partnership also plans for more crowd engagement during Big Ten games, according to Fallica. Using Michigan as an example, he said the presence of a strong personality like Portnoy could energize audiences in ways similar to appearances by former Michigan star Desmond Howard on College GameDay.
Fallica also shared how he connected with Portnoy following the news. Initially waiting to receive contact details, Fallica said, “I get a number pop up… it was Dave Portnoy reaching out. He said, ‘You’re going to be my guy. We’ve got a lot of common interests.’”
Fallica referenced those shared include sports betting and horse racing, setting the stage for collaboration. “This is going to go great,” Fallica said.
The debut of Big Noon Kickoff is set for August 30 live from Columbus, OH. Details regarding Barstool Sports yet-to-be-named FS1 program have not been announced.
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