Dave Portnoy is departing from FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff, and the vocal Michigan fan is pointing fingers at Ryan Day as the primary catalyst.
Following Friday evening’s revelations that FOX has cut ties with Portnoy and other figures from Barstool Sports on its Saturday morning pregame broadcast, the Barstool founder launched an attack on the Ohio State head coach. This parting of ways was initially shared by Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, whose reporting suggested that the decision didn’t stem from any single flashpoint. Rather, FOX reportedly struggled to integrate its standard college football coverage with the unconventional style of Barstool’s brand.
Portnoy presents a different narrative, delivering his thoughts without any filter.
Portnoy Launches Scathing Attack on ‘Cryin Ryan’
Taking to X, Portnoy alleged that Ohio State and Day pressured the Big Ten and lobbied FOX to remove him. Neither the university nor the network has validated Portnoy’s claims, and both declined to provide a statement when reached for comment.
“Ohio State and Ryan Day complained continuously to the Big Ten and issued threats to Fox until the network yielded. Keeping me on air wasn’t worth the trouble for the network given the massive financial stakes, with Day throwing frequent tantrums and complaining about my commentary. While I always considered Day to be lacking in toughness, I was surprised by the extent of his weakness 😂,” Portnoy shared on X.
He wasn’t done expressing his frustration.
“The Barstool College Football show will press forward, hinting at a potential visit to Columbus where most fans appreciate the rivalry and aren’t overly sensitive like their head coach,” Portnoy added.
These assertions represent Portnoy’s personal take on Day’s involvement rather than a verified account of FOX’s motives. The initial reports focused on the broader friction within the partnership between FOX and Barstool, whereas Portnoy has directed his irritation solely toward Michigan’s chief rival.
The Long-Standing Feud Between Portnoy and Day
Friday’s outburst was the culmination of a long-standing dispute.
Portnoy has spent years trolling Ohio State, frequently mocking Day as Michigan secured consecutive rivalry wins. He went so far as to commission a plane to fly a banner reading “Extend Ryan Day #GoBlue” over Ohio Stadium ahead of the Buckeyes’ College Football Playoff matchup against Tennessee in December 2024.
This friction carried over into Portnoy’s appearances on FOX. He previously alleged that Ohio State barred him from entering their stadium during a broadcast of Big Noon Kickoff. However, athletic director Ross Bjork clarified that Ohio State did not issue a ban, asserting instead that it was FOX’s decision to keep Portnoy off the main set and out of the venue during the program’s concluding hour.
Portnoy’s commentary has not been reserved solely for Ohio State, as he has also criticized his beloved Wolverines. Following a shocking defeat to Iowa, he publicly slammed Michigan, labeling it the most disappointing loss he had ever witnessed from the team.
Consequently, one of the most prominent Michigan advocates in college football has been sidelined from FOX’s Saturday morning broadcast.
Another Episode in the Storied Michigan-Ohio State Rivalry
The timing of the move introduces an interesting element.
With FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff broadcasting from Minneapolis on Saturday for the Michigan-Minnesota game, Portnoy’s sudden departure keeps him off the air right before a Wolverines matchup. Michigan is set to wrap up its 2026 regular season in Columbus against Ohio State on Nov. 28, an event Portnoy has hinted Barstool might attend independently.
Even so, his ties with FOX are not entirely severed. According to The Athletic, Wake Up Barstool will remain on the FS1 schedule, and there remains a possibility for future collaborative projects between FOX and Barstool.
Portnoy simply won’t have a seat on the Big Noon Kickoff panel.
Based on his initial outburst, it is clear that Day will continue to be the target of his criticism for a long time to come.
