Dave Portnoy and Barstool Sports will no longer appear on Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame college football show, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the decision had not been made public.
The Athletic was first to report Fox Sports’ decision.
The Barstool Sports founder said on social media that it was Ohio State and coach Ryan Day who forced Fox Sports to remove him from the show.
“The juice wasn’t worth the squeeze and I honestly don’t blame them. Big bucks are at stake and Cryin’ has Ryan throwing tantrums and making threats every few days over something I said,” Portnoy said in the post.
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Fox Sports had no comment. Ohio State referred all questions about Portnoy to Fox Sports.
The Associated Press sent an email to Portnoy seeking comment.
Fox is paying the most in the Big Ten’s seven-year multi-network deal that also includes NBC and CBS. Fox also owns 61% of the Big Ten Network.
Portnoy began appearing on the show last fall after Barstool and Fox Sports announced a partnership. “Big Noon Kickoff” also stars host Rob Stone and analysts Brady Quinn, Matt Leinart, Mark Ingram and Chris “The Bear” Fallica.
Portnoy graduated from Michigan and used Ohio State as a punching bag. The Barstool Sports founder said he banned Ohio State from entering Ohio Stadium last year before the season opener between the Buckeyes and Texas.
Ohio State said during planning meetings with Fox that the only talent coming to the stadium would be the main table team, which does not include Portnoy.
Barstool still has a live two-hour weekday morning show on FS1.