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via Imago

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Why is it that everything FOX Sports does in college football unites fans against the network? FOX is already on the hot seat for its programming schedule this season, and its latest move just got fans angrier. The network will be collaborating with another controversial sports outlet: Barstool Sports and Dave Portnoy. That has led to fans fearing for the standards of their college football content, who just want to enjoy the best of the game. And so, a clarion call has been sounded to boycott FOX Sports.

When a national network gets into business with a company that’s long been associated of being racist, sexist and a lot of other things, why will fans not call for a boycott. Dave Portnoy’s Barstool Sports is known for its heated takes on football. Who can forget his comparison of the veteran Colin Kaepernick with… Osama Bin Laden? And Portnoy saw no problem in that comment. “That’s not racist,” he said immediately after dishing out that take. “I’m big. You’re little. I cancel you,” was his response when he faced a boycott for another one of his controversies.

But now, college football programming will have Dave Portnoy in the mix. Front Office Sports reported that FOX can soon partner with Barstool Sports, pending a deal agreement. Once that happens, Dave Portnoy will be a face you see on FS1 during gamedays. And, he will feature on one of the most criticized college football pre-game show: the Big Noon Kickoff. By way of this, Big Noon Kickoff will not just have some guaranteed attention. It’s also risking its already troubled reputation among college football fans.

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FOX will broadcast some of the biggest games of the season, including the epic TexasOhio State game. Buckeyes fans are already fuming at the network because this high-stakes matchup will be part of Big Noon Kickoff. And now that the controversial figure of Dave Portnoy enters the mix, things just got more complicated for FOX. Matt Leinart, who is a host of the program, reacted to the collaboration with a wide-eyed emoji. Whether it stands for excitement or wariness, we don’t know.

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The program, anyway, had college football fans miffed. But the addition of Dave Portnoy is what makes this a recipe for disaster for some fans.

Fans rip into FOX for bringing on Dave Portnoy

“Fox Sports continues to ruin football,” wrote one user. The network has built a reputation for itself for not giving fans the best of football. Big Noon Kickoff was anyway controversial for its timing, because it breaks the usual tradition of watching the game at 9 pm on a weekend. “Boycotting fox,” wrote another, having had enough of the network’s programming for college football. Just yesterday, Dave Portnoy stirred the controversy pot for the nth time by calling LeBron James a “total failure.”

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What’s your perspective on:

Is FOX Sports ruining college football with its controversial choices, or is it just misunderstood?

Have an interesting take?

“OH GOD NO THIS WOULD RUIN TV,” wrote one very distressed fan, which really sums up the emotions of those worried by Dave Portnoy’s impending arrival in college football. We can only imagine how much the media figure would be able to adapt to the family-friendly programming of the sport. Imagine Dave Portnoy sitting with Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram, and the other hosts. “Helll nooo @FOXSports this is a horrible move lol @FS1,” wrote another, clear on where they stood about this development. Will FOX Sports be digging its own grave when the deal comes through?

“Down goes the network lmao,” joked another, being able to see the dark clouds looming over FOX already. Sure, the network is getting a famous face, who draws attention. But will it be worth it when there’s a good chance Dave Portnoy brings some untoward attention as well?

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  Debate

Is FOX Sports ruining college football with its controversial choices, or is it just misunderstood?

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