Dave Portnoy debuts on Big Noon Kickoff with trolling Ohio State fans

On August 30, 2025, Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, made a much-anticipated debut on Fox Sports' college football pregame show, Big Noon Kickoff. The event took place in Columbus, Ohio, where Portnoy, a diehard Michigan Wolverines fan, used the opportunity to engage in a playful confrontation with Ohio State fans. He began his entrance in a smoke-filled environment, wearing a 'B1G' hoodie. Within moments, he shocked the audience by singing Michigan's fight song, 'The Victors,' a move that elicited a chorus of boos from Buckeye supporters in attendance. Portnoy claimed he was not there to troll but rather to support Big Ten football, despite the animosity from the crowd. During his segment, Portnoy did not shy away from stirring the pot, further provoking the Ohio State fan base by revealing a shirt emblazoned with the phrase 'Still Can’t Beat Michigan.' His antics included boasting about past victories and mocking the Ohio State football program, stating that the Buckeyes’ national title meant little to Wolverines fans. This banter was not just for show; it was part of the ongoing rivalry between the two famous college football schools, intensifying the atmosphere during the kickoff of the season. The show featured other notable personalities, including Urban Meyer, a former Ohio State head coach who had a storied undefeated record against Michigan while in charge. Meyer presented Portnoy with a No. 16 Buckeye jersey jokingly labeled ‘El Presidente’ to further fuel the banter between the rival fans. Portnoy’s presence on the show has been promoted as part of a new partnership between Fox Sports and Barstool Sports, suggesting that more of his comedic and contentious segments might be featured throughout the football season. Overall, Portnoy's debut on Big Noon Kickoff was marked by intentional provocations that played into the deep-seated rivalry between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines. His strategic use of humor and confrontation exemplified how the sports media landscape is evolving, with personalities like Portnoy enhancing viewer engagement through controversy and entertainment. The season-opening game pitting the third-ranked Ohio State against number one Texas added to the significant sports backdrop, which Portnoy was eager to be at the forefront of, despite claims from Ohio State denying any official ban from the stadium despite his assertions to the contrary.