Fox is closing in on a potential big splash hire for its Big Noon Kickoff for the 2025 college football season.
According to a report from Front Office Sports’ Ryan Glasspiegel, the network is nearing a deal with Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. The deal would have Portnoy appearing on its college football pregame show and Barstool content being featured on FS1.
The report states that the deal is not yet finalized and Fox Sports declined to comment on the story. However, if the deal goes through, Portnoy would join Urban Meyer, Matt Leinart, Brady Quinn, Mark Ingram, Chris Fallica and host Rob Stone on the Big Noon Kickoff show.
According to Front Office Sports, the deal with Portnoy and Barstool Sports is likely one to counter ESPN’s addition of Pat McAfee, as Portnoy has done well with the 18-to-34 demographic and does well on social media. Portnoy is a Michigan graduate. He appears frequently Fox News and Fox Business Network.
Portnoy played a major role in Michigan flipping No. 1-ranked 2025 QB prospect Bryce Underwood to the Wolverines’ recruiting class from LSU. Portnoy currently hosts Barstool Sports’ own pregame show, “Barstool College Football Show.”
“Pardon My Take” ― one of Barstool Sports’ most successful original programs ― could be among the Barstool content used to fill airtime on FS1. Other Barstool personalities could also be added to FS1’s lineup.
The first Big Noon Kickoff is set to take place on Saturday, Aug. 30, to open the 2025 season when Ohio State and Texas face off at Ohio Stadium in Week 1.
Dave Portnoy responds to Big Noon Kickoff report
Portnoy responded to the report of his addition to Big Noon Kickoff, and Barstool Sports’ potential deal between Barstool Sports and Fox Sports, taking aim at Ohio State fans.
“These are nothing more than rumors at this point,” Portnoy tweeted. “But all the crying from Columbus is making me feel like it’s Thanksgiving Day weekend again and Michigan is pounding a hapless Buckeye team into the mud for the billionth straight year.”
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Fox Sports reportedly to hire Barstool’s Dave Portnoy to ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ show
Reporting by Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY NETWORK / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
