Notorious Michigan fan Dave Portnoy’s current controversy of being allegedly banned from Ohio Stadium is exactly the business plan Fox is hoping for, according to radio host Dan Le Batard.
Portnoy was hired as an analyst for ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ on the network, with the showpiece game of college football’s first full weekend of the season taking place in Columbus’ cathedral to the Buckeyes.
The No 1 Texas Longhorns will play inside Ohio Stadium against the No 3 Buckeyes, with a key piece of Fox’s broadcast not allowed to enter the stadium. Buckeyes’ athletic director Ross Bjork and the Big Ten Conference blamed Fox itself. Portnoy blamed Ohio State itself.
Fox’s decision to hire Portnoy appeared as a counter move to Pat McAfee being on ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’ and rival the long-standing Saturday preview show.
While Le Batard and Portnoy have traded barbs for years, creating controversy and attention appears to have been Fox’s plan the whole time, per the radio host.
‘When you talk about the games we’re heading into this weekend, Fox and Big Noon are getting exactly what they want out of Dave Portnoy,’ Le Batard said on Tuesday. ‘Because there are reports that Dave Portnoy has been “banned” from participating.’
Dave Portnoy’s alleged ban from Ohio Stadium is all part of the plan according to a rival
Radio host and former ESPN staffer Dan Le Batard has not spoken highly of Portnoy in the past
‘It seems all of this would be created to create noise and controversy. I believe Portnoy and Barstool will be good about attracting attention, particularly of young people, to rival Lee Corso’s departure on ESPN.’
‘I don’t believe creatures like Dave Portnoy have ever existed in the history of these shows. This is how a network that is struggling with its sports programming, this is how they get into the game by trying to do something different.’
Le Batard used to be an employee at ESPN, with his notion towards Portnoy being a stunning admission, as his comments will give the Barstool boss even more legitimacy.
How exactly Portnoy will be used on Saturday with him not allowed in Ohio Stadium is not clear. His presence will no doubt be felt.
Head-to-head on television against Portnoy will be the final appearance of Corso, 90, on ‘College GameDay’, with him on the panel since the show’s start in 1987.