It’s not just “rumors” anymore. It’s official, Dave Portnoy has confirmed a massive new partnership between Barstool Sports and Fox Sports.
Funhouse teased the news, Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports first reported it, Andrew Marchand of The Athletic later confirmed it, and now Portnoy has formally announced it with an emergency press conference.
Dave Portnoy is joining Big Noon Kickoff in a “wide ranging” partnership between Barstool Sports and Fox Sports. And in that formal announcement, Portnoy put his Michigan Wolverines fandom on front and center.
Emergency Press Conference – Barstool Sports is Proud to announce a new wide ranging partnership with Fox Sports. This is the 1st time in our illustrious and notorious history that we’ve got a Tv partner we believe in and believes in us. I can’t wait to see what we create… pic.twitter.com/vQ19c7brof
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) July 17, 2025
“What conference has ruled college football year after year after year? National Champion after National Champion?” Portnoy asked “Answer: the Big Ten. And what network covers the Big Ten better than anybody else? Fox Sports. Big Noon Kickoff. And what school has dominated the Big Ten more than any school in the history of the conference? The answer: the Michigan Wolverines.”
Portnoy then noted Big Noon Kickoff has been without a host or analyst who can bring Michigan fandom and bias to the set.
“Well, that ends today, friends,” Portnoy said. “Barstool Sports, myself, we are joining Big Noon Kickoff. The days of kicking Michigan when we’re not around is over.”
Portnoy only confirmed Barstool’s addition to Big Noon Kickoff, but he did note the partnership is “wide-ranging.” In another video with Kirk Minihane and Ryan Whitney, Portnoy confirmed a daily FS1 show from 8-10 a.m. ET featuring Barstool Sports personalities.
The 2 major highlights of our new partnership with @FOXSports:
–@stoolpresidente will be on Big Noon Kickoff
-A new show daily on @FS1 from 8-10ampic.twitter.com/Oyyz17TZRa— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) July 17, 2025
Days after FS1 eliminated three shows and a cast of talent from its weekday lineup by canceling Craig Carton’s Breakfast Ball, Emmanuel Acho’s The Facility and Joy Taylor’s Speak, at least one of those holes will be being plugged by Dave Portnoy and Barstool Sports.
Wednesday afternoon, Portnoy downplayed the report as “rumors,” but it wasn’t long before those rumors turned into reports and reports turned into an announcement. And by Thursday afternoon, Dave Portnoy made it official as the Barstool Sports era at Fox has begun.
About Brandon Contes
Brandon Contes is a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. He previously helped carve the sports vertical for Mediaite and spent more than three years with Barrett Sports Media. Send tips/comments/complaints to bcontes@thecomeback.com