Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy says he will not appear on Big Noon Kickoff during Saturday’s Big Ten Championship. This ends FOX Sports’ on-site plans for one of the season’s biggest games.
In a brief statement posted to social media, Portnoy wrote, “I would like to announce that I will not be at the Big 10 championship with Big Noon Kickoff on FOX. Good luck to all the teams involved.”
Although Portnoy did not expand on the decision, his message was direct and unexpected given FOX’s heavy promotion of its championship weekend coverage.
Moreover, Portnoy’s absence comes during a season in which FOX has leaned into celebrity integrations and expanded desk segments. The network has also sought to compete more aggressively with ESPN’s College GameDay. Portnoy’s inclusion in the weekly college football pregame show was a major part of FOX Sports’ partnership they secure with the Barstool Sports brand earlier this year.
He did not attend every episode of Big Noon Kickoff. Now he will miss the season finale. His absence comes after Michigan’s loss to Ohio State this weekend.
Since the debut of the partnership, Portnoy has hinted at clashes with conferences and colleges. He’s called out the viewership figures on FS1 as being “awful” with Wake Up Barstool. Portnoy was recently absent from Big Noon Kickoff. During that episode, he appeared via satellite and criticized USC for multiple players wearing the same number.
Portnoy and FOX have both publicly commented on the partnership being great for both parties in recent months.
FOX has not immediately comment on Portnoy’s decision, but the program did share Portnoy’s tweet via social media for it’s own following. There has been no word on if another Barstool Sports personality will fill Portnoy’s role on the show this Saturday.
The Big Ten Championship between Indiana and Ohio State is one of the most valuable properties on the college football calendar. The pregame window is expected to deliver millions of viewers.
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