Dave Portnoy Faces Big Ten Drama Ahead of Game Show

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports and panelist on “Fox Noon Kickoff,” has stirred controversy regarding his absence from next weekend’s show potentially located at a Big Ten campus. Instead, he’ll be in Starkville as part of “The Barstool College Football Show.”

On Thursday’s episode of the “Unnamed Podcast,” Portnoy expressed his belief that the Big Ten may be behind the decision to keep him away. “It wouldn’t shock me, but it also wouldn’t shock me if just to be like, ‘Ya know what, let’s cool tensions a little bit… and then we’ll regroup after that,’” he said.

Portnoy clarified that he is uncertain if an official request had been made by the Big Ten, but emphasized his positive relationship with Fox. “We have a great relationship with Fox, and I am not trying to make their lives more difficult,” he explained.

This Saturday, Portnoy will be live with Fox in Columbus, Ohio, for a highly anticipated game between the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes and the struggling Penn State Nittany Lions. Following this, he and his Barstool crew will head to Mississippi State for the SEC matchup against Georgia.

Addressing inquiries related to his Fox contract, Portnoy stated, “I don’t know if it was in the contract or not. There’s no trouble in paradise with us and Fox… maybe with other people? But not us and Fox.” He confirmed that he has no issues with Fox, while hinting at potential conflicts with another group. “There’s a group that maybe hasn’t cared for Barstool throughout this relationship… it’s not really a channel, more of a conference,” he remarked.

Portnoy also noted that it is likely Fox’s show next week will not be at a Big 12 school, as he feels that conference supports Barstool. He speculated that it will probably be at a Big Ten campus, with possible games involving Indiana versus Penn State, Iowa versus Oregon, and Ohio State versus Purdue.

His co-hosts questioned why the Big Ten might oppose him, to which Portnoy replied, “It’s very (Roger) Goodell… I don’t think they’d even have an answer, my answer would be they potentially take themselves way too seriously.” He added, “We have a great relationship with Fox Sports. They have been nothing but great… So I’m not trying to agitate it… I have no complaints with Fox. None, zero. I love working with them well.”

Portnoy’s involvement has sparked drama in the past regarding his participation in on-campus shows. Reports earlier in the season indicated a ban on him attending an Ohio State home game, with the school’s athletic director claiming it was due to him not being on the show’s main panel. Despite mixed responses about Portnoy’s presence, he believes the show is improving. “I think it is doing better, but I think a lot of ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ is sort of game-dependent,” he stated.