Portnoy Faces Big Ten Controversy Again
Dave Portnoy seems to be once again at the center of some Big Ten controversy.
The founder of Barstool Sports and a panelist on “Fox Noon Kickoff” stated that the conference is preventing him from attending the upcoming show, originally expected to be broadcast from a Big Ten campus.
Instead, he’ll be in Starkville, Michigan, participating in the “Barstool College Football Show.” It’s interesting, isn’t it?
Reflecting on the situation during a recent episode of the “Unnamed Podcast,” Portnoy speculated that perhaps the Big Ten had requested Fox to keep him away. “It doesn’t shock me,” he admitted, though he also remarked, “It doesn’t shock me if it’s just, ‘Hey, let’s ease the nerves a bit, go to Mississippi State and make Brandon Walker happy, then regroup.’” But he wasn’t sure if a formal request had actually been made by the conference.
He acknowledged the behind-the-scenes dynamics as he discussed future plans, emphasizing the strong relationship he has with Fox. “We’re not trying to make their lives more difficult,” he said. “That’s why we’re going to Mississippi State.”
This Saturday, he’ll be live in Columbus, Ohio, anticipating an anticipated showdown between the Buckeyes and Penn State. The following week, though, he and the Barstool team are headed to the SEC to cover Mississippi State’s game against Georgia. This has raised questions about whether his absence from the Big Ten scene relates to his contract, which only allows one week off from Fox duties.
“I’m not sure if that was in the contract,” Portnoy added, easing concerns about any discord with Fox. “There’s no problem in paradise with us and Fox. Other people? Probably. But us? No issues.”
He reiterated that the relationship with Fox is solid: “We love doing the show. I’m not going to jeopardize that.” He pointed towards possible friction elsewhere, hinting that some factions might not particularly care for Barstool.
Portnoy also speculated about where the Fox show would air next. He mentioned it likely wouldn’t be at a Big 12 school, as that conference “loves us.” He suggested that future shows would probably come from Big Ten campuses like Indiana and Iowa, with anticipation for Ohio State visiting Purdue.
His co-hosts expressed confusion over why the Big Ten would want to keep him out. “That’s just Roger Goodell,” he remarked humorously, referring to his ongoing disputes with the NFL commissioner. “They may take themselves too seriously.”
Reassuringly, he said of Fox Sports, “They’ve been nothing but great to work with. It’s the opposite of ESPN. I have no complaints against Fox. I love working with them.”
This isn’t the first time this year that Portnoy has found himself amidst drama regarding attendance at on-campus shows. Before Ohio State’s home game against Texas, reports surfaced about why he couldn’t enter the stadium, with conflicting accounts regarding a supposed ban by the school.
His presence on the show hasn’t been without controversy either, as some felt he introduced a WWE-like flair with his aggressive promos. “I think things are improving,” he said, “but a lot of ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ hinges on the games themselves.”
