Barstool Sports Personalities Left Big Noon Kickoff
Dave Portnoy and his team have exited the Fox Sports college football pregame show after a one-year partnership.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Football
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Dave Portnoy and Barstool Sports personalities have departed from the Big Noon Kickoff show. This change follows a partnership that lasted for just over a year on the network.
Why it matters
The departure was prompted by complaints lodged by Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and the university to the Big Ten, which subsequently communicated the issue to FOX.
The partnership between Barstool Sports and Big Noon Kickoff concluded after lasting for just over one year. Barstool previously offered a full year of college football coverage for $19.99.
The players
Dave Portnoy
He is the founder of Barstool Sports and a prominent media personality who has been a central figure in the brand's sports coverage.
Ryan Day
He serves as the head coach of the Ohio State football team and initiated the complaint that led to the changes on the broadcast.
Barstool Sports
It is a digital media company that produces content across sports, pop culture, and gambling, and it will continue its own college football coverage.
Big Ten
This is a collegiate athletic conference that mediated the complaint between the university and the television network.
FOX
This is the television network that broadcasts the Big Noon Kickoff show and previously aired the program Wake Up Barstool on FS1.
The details
Following complaints regarding comments made by Portnoy, Ohio State and head coach Ryan Day took their grievances to the Big Ten. The conference then passed these concerns to FOX, leading to the removal of the Barstool contributors from the program.
Timeline
On October 2, 2026, Dave Portnoy confirmed the report regarding the departure on X.
Season Trajectory
The removal of the Barstool crew from Big Noon Kickoff marks a significant shift in the broadcast strategy for the remainder of the season. This move alters the competitive landscape of college football media by isolating the network from independent contributors who previously drove engagement.
Viewers of the Big Noon Kickoff show will see a change in the talent roster for the remainder of the season. Barstool Sports will maintain its separate college football coverage platform for its audience.
The takeaway
Maintaining relationships with collegiate athletic programs is often essential for sports media brands seeking access to high-profile coverage. Fans looking for specific coverage styles may now need to migrate their viewership to independent digital platforms.
Further reading
For more on the latest developments in the sport, visit the Football section.
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