Dave Portnoy addresses reports he will join FS1: ‘Nothing more than rumors at this point’

If it happens, the addition of Dave Portnoy to Big Noon Kickoff and FS1’s talent roster would be one of the more momentous occasions in sports media history.

But for right now, the whispers around a potential collaboration between Fox and Barstool Sports are “nothing more than rumors at this point,” according to Portnoy himself.

“El Presidente” took to X on Wednesday shortly after Front Office Sports reported he was in talks to contribute to the network to dispel the notion that an agreement was close.

“These are nothing more than rumors at this point,” Portnoy wrote. “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.”

These are nothing more than rumors at this point. 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. 😂😂😂 https://t.co/kkHIwYMzyQ

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) July 16, 2025

This is quintessential Portnoy: Address all publicity, retrofit it to your angle, and enjoy the attention. Portnoy is not saying he won’t work at FS1 as soon as next month. But the Michigan alum and longtime sports talk loudmouth is also acknowledging the reporting, and already starting to work an angle with the Ohio State fans who are sure to be cranky about his hire if it happens.

Within moments, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand confirmed Portnoy’s likely future at FS1 while adding new details on the rest of Barstool’s collision with the network.

According to Marchand, Portnoy and Dan “Big Cat” Katz are two personalities linked to a new morning show at FS1.

Barstool and Fox Sports are in advanced talks that would see top Barstool personalities, including Dave Portnoy & Big Cat, appearing as part of its new FS1 daily programming lineup leading into Colin Cowherd at noon, while Portnoy would be part of Big Noon Kickoff, sources…

— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) July 16, 2025

The Barstool Van Talk saga at ESPN could fill a book. Innovative but poorly handled, the Worldwide Leader botched what would have been a head start on the future of sports media.

Now, with Portnoy as a signature talking head and the bump from Barstool’s brand, FS1 appears to be following in those footsteps to salvage its network’s future. And Portnoy is greasing the wheels.