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3d ago

Dave Portnoy’s Big Noon Debut Becomes Rivalry Theater As Access Dispute Lingers

The Michigan superfan’s first appearance underscored Fox’s Barstool strategy during a public dispute over who limited his stadium access.

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Dec 14, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dave Portnoy, Bar Stool Sports founder and owner walks along the sidelines before the playing of the 125 Army Navy game at Commanders Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images Dec 14, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dave Portnoy poses with solders before the between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen at Commanders Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • Portnoy opened the Fox Big Noon Kickoff show in Columbus by singing Michigan’s fight song, unveiling a “Still Can’t Beat Michigan” shirt and cutting a WWE-style promo as Ohio State fans booed.
  • Urban Meyer presented Portnoy with a Buckeyes jersey on air, which Portnoy joked would serve as toilet paper, before he called coach Ryan Day “soft” and warned his job could be at risk with another loss to Michigan.
  • Portnoy says Ohio State forced cancellation of Barstool’s planned Columbus pregame show and kept him out of the stadium, while Ohio State AD Ross Bjork says Fox made the access decision and only the main desk crew was credentialed.
  • During the broadcast, Portnoy hyped Michigan newcomer Bryce Underwood as making the Wolverines a national title threat and later picked Ohio State to beat Texas while touting Big Ten strength versus the SEC.
  • Fox’s partnership with Barstool places Portnoy on Big Noon throughout the season and adds a weekday FS1 show, “Wake Up Barstool,” as the network leans into personality-driven college football coverage.