It's no secret that Dave Portnoy is a fan of the Michigan Wolverines. The Barstool Sports founder attended the University of Michigan before starting the company and has held onto his Wolverine fandom ever since.
It's also no secret that Portnoy isn't everyone's cup of tea. His boisterous personality and hot takes have made him a hit-or-miss figure in the sporting world. However, when Barstool and FOX recently agreed to make him a co-host of Big Noon Kickoff, it might have saved the show's future.
ESPN has College GameDay and FOX has Big Noon Kickoff. ESPN's show has obviously gained more traction over the years and has featured beloved and despised personalities like Lee Corso and Pat McAfee.
FOX is propping Portnoy up to be that personality. It's perfect. The show consistently features the biggest games in the Big Ten, including the game. With frequent trips to Columbus, Big Noon Kickoff has created the belief among college football fans that FOX loves the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Disgusting, right?
By hiring Portnoy to join the show, FOX is cutting off that Buckeye bias at the knees. The show can't favor Ohio State with one of the most notable Michigan alums at the desk.
Of course, the Portnoy news came with mixed responses; most people hated the hire unless they wear blue and maize on Saturdays. SEC fans and Ohio State fans hated it the most simply because it wasn't their school's guy.
Portnoy is playing into his fame and the attention that he can generate at the drop of a hat, or a tweet. FOX is doing the exact same thing. The network is leaning farther into the Big Ten as ESPN leans farther into the SEC. The Big 12 and the ACC? Well, they're getting left behind.
Portnoy is officially FOX's Paul Finebaum or Stephen A. Smith or Pat McAfee. Or maybe, he's all three of those guys in one. The best part? He'll never pick the Buckeyes.