What will it actually look like when Dave Portnoy debuts as a member of the Big Noon Kickoff cast later this month?
We now have a better idea.
Taking to X on Friday morning, the Barstool Sports founder posted a teaser trailer for the Fox pregame show’s first episode of the 2025 season, which will take place in Columbus, Ohio, ahead of defending national champion Ohio State’s matchup against Texas on Aug. 30. And while the video primarily consisted of footage from Barstool Sports’ own college football pregame show, it also provided some insight into what we can expect from Portnoy on the Big Noon Kickoff set.
“FOOTBALL IS COMING,” Portnoy wrote while tagging the show’s X account. “See everybody in Columbus later this month.”
FOOTBALL IS COMING. @BNKonFOX
See everybody in Columbus later this month. pic.twitter.com/LQtmdnBqw0
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) August 1, 2025
As you can tell from the clips above, Portnoy won’t exactly be Fox’s version of Kirk Herbstreit — not that anyone would have expected him to be. Rather, the Boston native’s presence will be much more Pat McAfee-like, bringing a lighthearted, fan-focused approach, with the video especially playing up his pro-Big Ten (and specifically Michigan) bias and hatred for the Southeastern Conference.
That’s surely not a coincidence, as Puck’s John Ourand recently reported that the idea of Portnoy being an “on-air fanboy” for the Big Ten was a big part of his appeal to Fox and conference executives who were looking to combat ESPN’s SEC bias, real or perceived. If the SEC can have the likes of Paul Finebaum openly advocating for it via its media rights partner, why shouldn’t Fox and the Big Ten do the same?
An obvious wrinkle to all of this is that while Dave Portnoy is pro-Big Ten, the Michigan alum is understandably anti-Ohio State. And if Friday’s teaser (and everything we already know about him) is any indication, he’ll have no issue leaning into his disdain for the Buckeyes when he makes his Big Noon debut outside of The Horseshoe later this month.
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.