Fox Sports is gearing up for a significant partnership with Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, with plans for him to make appearances on the college football pregame show, Big Noon Kickoff. This development marks a strategic move for Fox to boost its college football programming by integrating Barstool’s popular content into its lineup on FS1, as reported by industry sources.
The anticipated partnership comes as Fox Sports looks to enhance its Big Noon initiative, which was introduced in 2019 to offer top-tier matchups in the early afternoon slot. Historically, this time has competed against less prominent games from rival networks. The strategy was spawned from the success of games like the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry, which garnered significant viewership. Additionally, the launch of Big Noon Kickoff aimed to provide a counterpoint to ESPN’s established College GameDay.
Portnoy, known for his appeal among younger audiences, particularly those aged 18-34, is seen as a strategic asset for Fox, allowing the network to challenge ESPN’s offerings, especially following the rise of Pat McAfee, who has roots in Barstool. Alongside Portnoy, Big Noon features a host of sports personalities including Urban Meyer and Brady Quinn, among others.
Recent shifts at FS1 will lead to the cancellation of several existing shows, such as Breakfast Ball and Speak, making way for Barstool content in a potential new format. However, specific details regarding the shows or personalities involved in this deal are still pending. The impending collaboration could reinvigorate FS1’s programming landscape and create fresh content for college football fans.
This move represents a hopeful evolution in sports broadcasting that blends traditional programming with digital media reach, harnessing the popularity of Barstool and its founder to attract a new wave of viewers.