Dave Portnoy Blames Ryan Day for Fox Sports Show Removal

Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, claims that Ohio State head coach Ryan Day was instrumental in his removal from Fox Sports' college football pregame show, "Big Noon Kickoff." Portnoy alleges that Ohio State compiled a video of his anti-Buckeyes remarks and that Day's interpretation of "doxxing" further contributed to his ouster.

According to Portnoy, Ohio State voiced objections to his involvement with the show from the outset. He stated that Fox executives were presented with a 30- to 45-minute compilation of his critiques of Ohio State and Ryan Day, which he believes prompted the university to push for his removal. Portnoy, an alumnus and booster of the University of Michigan, acknowledged his history of engaging with the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry but suggested Day perceived this as more than typical sports banter.

Portnoy indicated that Day believes Portnoy "doxxed" him, a sentiment he has heard from both Fox personnel and others. "I'm not 100% sure he knows how the internet works, and I don't even mean that facetiously," Portnoy commented on the coach's understanding of the term.

The closest incident Portnoy could identify to "doxxing" – the act of publishing private or identifying information about an individual online – occurred after Day moved Ohio State's Senior Day to the first week of the season. At that time, Portnoy referred to Day as a "scared little chicken boy." Portnoy mentioned that Day was in Nantucket, Massachusetts, at the time, in the process of purchasing property, but stated he did not share any address or specific personal information.

Portnoy also pointed to an earlier conflict when he was barred from entering Ohio State's stadium for a game on August 30, 2025. He contends that Ohio State denied responsibility at the time but was consistently unhappy with his presence on the broadcast. "Any time anyone—not only me—would criticize Ohio State or Ryan Day, they would complain," Portnoy said.

This dispute arises as the Michigan Wolverines, having a challenging season, prepare to face Ohio State later in the year, a rivalry that has intensified with Portnoy's personal criticisms directed at Day and the Buckeyes.