Latest news with #MattLeinart
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Barstool, Fox, and a marriage made for modern sports media
Barstool Sports is back on TV. Eight years after ESPN cancelled a Barstool late-night show, the digital sports media company that has spawned devoted fans and fervent critics is coming to Fox and Fox Sports1 for the upcoming football season. 'Barstool Sports, myself, we are joining 'Big Noon Kickoff',' Portnoy said in a video posted to social media Thursday, referencing Fox's Saturday morning college football show. Portnoy has long been a divisive figure in sports media and beyond, building a massive digital following with commentary on an array of subjects, including sports, politics, gambling, finance and pizza. He also has a history of misogynistic and racist comments and has been the subject of sexual misconduct accusations. Now, he will appear alongside Matt Leinart, Urban Meyer and others during college football season. Barstool, meanwhile, will produce a daily morning show for Fox's cable sports network. As one high-level media executive told The Post: "It's insane! How can you put [Portnoy] on TV next to Urban Meyer? Of course, I'm going to watch.' Here's what to know about this seismic move for sports media. Industry insiders spoke on the condition of anonymity for this story, to offer candid thoughts without jeopardizing working relationships. When ESPN launched a show with the hosts of the popular Barstool podcast, 'Pardon My Take,' in 2017, ESPN staffers revolted over Barstool's treatment of women. Portnoy has made degrading comments about women, including once suggesting some 'kind of deserve to be raped.' The ESPN show was canceled after a single episode. (Portnoy has said many of his comments were jokes.) Much has changed since then. As other digital sports outlets have struggled or disappeared, Barstool still claims a rabid fan base of mostly young men who consume content, buy merchandise and show up at events. It leaned into gambling ahead of others and helped to launch the careers of several media superstars, including Pat McAfee, now at ESPN, and Alex Cooper, among the most popular podcasters in the country. Go to any college football tailgate and you will find Barstool flags flying in the parking lots. 'Pardon My Take,' featuring Dan Katz and Eric Sollenberger (better known as Big Cat and PFT Commenter) is going on a decade as one of the country's most popular sports podcasts. Portnoy has become the most important pizza influencer in the country. Barstool's ESPN show also came during President Trump's first term, right before the #MeToo movement gained prominence. Trump since has been re-elected, and Portnoy is now a regular guest on Fox News and Fox Business. After the Barstool partnership was announced, one Fox Sports staffer told the Post, 'I think from a business proposition this is probably smart, and I don't love that that is true.' ESPN has re-made its business around the industry's biggest personalities, most notably McAfee and Stephen A. Smith. Portnoy is arguably better at generating attention than either. "Dave has built a one-of-a-kind brand that connects with a new generation of sports fans – authentic, bold, and original,' Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks said in the company's announcement. A buzzword among so many executives today is relevance. Portnoy has mastered the attention economy with more than 9 million followers between X and TikTok. (Katz and Sollenberger each have more than 1 million X followers, too.) On Fox, Portnoy likely will deliver his share of viral moments, perhaps along the lines of McAfee doing a backflip into the Tennessee River when ESPN's college football pregame show visited Knoxville. ESPN licenses McAfee's show for two hours every afternoon. It will soon license TNT's pre- and post-game show for its NBA coverage. Now Fox, after canceling three of its daytime talk shows earlier this month, is turning to Barstool to develop a morning show. (According to people familiar with the deal, Barstool is building a TV studio in its Chicago headquarters.) Sports networks are showing a reluctance to develop new programming outside of live sports, outsourcing what used to be a core function of a network. That leaves Barstool a chance to make a morning show that looks nothing like traditional TV. It's reasonable to assume that whatever Barstool produces won't look anything like ESPN's 'Get Up' or Fox's now-canceled 'Breakfast Ball," shows consisting mostly of ex-athletes and talking heads debating the day's biggest sports stories from behind desks. Whether Barstool's fans — and other sports fans — will watch on linear TV is another question. McAfee, for example, has a big digital footprint, but his TV ratings have lagged. (ESPN has said that doesn't matter because McAfee is part of the company's direct-to-consumer strategy.) Barstool will now confront similar questions to the networks: Can they take a digital concept and translate it to TV? But also: Can anyone make a successful linear TV show in 2025? Many have compared Portnoy's role at Fox to something similar to McAfee's — a big-energy presence with a strong connection to young male sports fans. But one media executive said Portnoy also reminded them of ESPN's hiring of conservative pundit Rush Limbaugh on its Sunday morning NFL coverage in the early 2000s. If you watch McAfee's show, he often isn't delivering the most provocative takes the way Portnoy does or Limbaugh once did. (It's often McAfee's guests making news.) Limbaugh lasted just a few episodes after he suggested quarterback Donovan McNabb was overrated because he was Black. But it felt then like Limbaugh was interested in the ESPN platform for his own visibility. This has been the cause of some tension at ESPN with McAfee, too. Is what is good for McAfee always good for ESPN? And in the same vein, will what is good for Portnoy, the executive wondered, always be what's good for Fox Sports?
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
USC Legend Matt Leinart Flexes 42-Point Outburst in Rec League
USC Legend Matt Leinart Flexes 42-Point Outburst in Rec League originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Over two decades separate Matt Leinart from winning the Heisman Trophy as the face of Pete Carroll's program. That doesn't mean the legendary USC Trojans quarterback doesn't still impress with his athletic ability. Advertisement In a post on X on Sunday, Leinart detailed his most recent accomplishment. Not on the gridiron, but on the basketball court. "Shooters shoot and that's what I did in my championship game the other night. Still got it… 42 with two new hips!!!! #chrismullin #recleague," Leinart wrote. The video that accompanied the post showed Leinart raining down a handful of 3-pointers before clapping, tapping his chest and walking off the court saying, "It feels good to be a champion, baby." Leinart also posed for a photo with his team in front of a scoreboard that displayed a 64-44 count. Former USC Trojans QB Matt 2004, Leinart threw for 2,990 yards, 28 touchdowns and six interceptions as he helped steer the Trojans to their second straight national championship. He brought home the stiff-arming statue by beating out teammate Reggie Bush, along with Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson and Jason White and Utah's Alex Smith. Advertisement Leinart and USC fell just short of a three-peat in 2005 — you can credit Texas' Vince Young for that — before being selected No. 10 overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2006 NFL Draft. Leinart also had stops with the Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills. Now, when not imitating Steph Curry on the hardwood, Leinart works as an analyst for FOX Sports' Big Noon Kickoff. Related: USC Called Hypocrites After Latest $2.6 Million Recruiting Win This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Heisman Trophy winner felt like someone in his family died when NFL career ended with Bills
The Buffalo Bills have seen four Heisman Trophy winners come and go. O.J. Simpson became a legend. Doug Flutie sparked magic. Reggie Bush faded out. Matt Leinart barely unpacked his bags and never played in a regular-season game. Advertisement The 2004 Heisman Trophy winner and USC national champion spent just five days with the Bills in 2013. Leinart detailed how that brief and painful stop marked the end of his NFL career on a recent episode of his Throwbacks podcast. Buffalo signed Leinart on Aug. 25, 2013, in urgent need of quarterback depth. Rookie starter EJ Manuel and veteran Kevin Kolb were both injured. The team traded for Thad Lewis that same day and had undrafted rookie Jeff Tuel on the roster. Four days later, Leinart started the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions in Orchard Park. 'My last game in Buffalo, preseason game four, I threw three interceptions in the first half. I was 4-for-11. I stood on that sideline like someone passed away in my family, dude,' Leinart told co-host Jerry Ferrara, slightly off on the stats − he went 3-for-10 for 11 yards and two interceptions in a 35-13 loss. "I kept my helmet on so no one could see my face. I was embarrassed. Advertisement "I didn't cry. I was so embarrassed that was going to be my last time ever on a football field, and I just knew it." He was right. The Bills released Leinart the next day. Leinart was 30 years old at the time. Bills fans were more hopeful than he was about a career revival. "Honestly, the sad part is like they were so fired up I was there, like 'Yeah, you're going to revive your career here.' And I'm like guys they need an arm, pretty much," Leinart said. "I always wonder if I like went 10-for-11 with a touchdown if I would've made the roster." Aug 29, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Matt Leinart (7) gets hit by Detroit Lions defensive end Israel Idonije (77) after a pass during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. There was real opportunity in Buffalo that season. Manuel sprained his knee in Week 5, forcing Lewis into the starting role. Bills backup quarterbacks started six of the team's 16 games. Tuel even made a start in Week 9. Advertisement Leinart holds no bitterness, only affection for the Bills. 'I saw firsthand, like Bills Mafia, how awesome their fans were and they treated me great for the first couple days,' he said. 'So that's why I was like, I love Buffalo.' Aug 29, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Matt Leinart (7) during the first half against the Detroit Lions at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Leinart is widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in college football history. He led USC to two national titles, including the 2004 BCS Championship, and oversaw the Trojans' 34-game winning streak. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007. The Arizona Cardinals selected him with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Injuries cut short each of his first two seasons, and Kurt Warner eventually overtook him as the starter. Leinart later served as a backup with the Houston Texans and Oakland Raiders before landing in Buffalo. Advertisement Bush, Leinart's teammate at USC and the 2005 Heisman winner, also ended his NFL career in Buffalo. He backed up LeSean McCoy and Mike Gillislee in 2016, finishing with 12 carries for minus-3 yards — the first non-quarterback in league history to end a season with negative rushing yards on double-digit attempts — along with seven receptions for 90 yards. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Matt Leinart reflects on heartbreaking end to his NFL career with Bills
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills Ex-QB Breaks Down 'Embarrassing' Final NFL Moment
Bills Ex-QB Breaks Down 'Embarrassing' Final NFL Moment originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Former USC quarterback Matt Leinart was one of the greatest college signal-caller ever. His success in the NFL, however, wasn't even close to that same level. Advertisement The former 10th overall pick and national champion struggled mightily throughout his seven-year career. While he was known more as a Cardinal, Leinart's career ended as a member of the Buffalo Bills. After a short stint with the Houston Texans and Oakland Raiders, Leinart was given a chance to earn a spot on the roster of the 2013 Bills. Things didn't go quite to plan, though. Leinart didn't make the 53-man roster and instead retired. Leinart opened up about that final preseason game on his Throwbacks podcast while explaining what that felt like. "I stood on that sideline like someone passed away in my family, dude," said Leinart as he reminisced about the 35-13 preseason loss. "I kept my helmet on so no one could see my face. I was embarrassed. I was so embarrassed that it would be my last time ever on a football field, and I just knew it." Advertisement Leinart's numbers that day, 3-of-10 with two interceptions, enhanced the notion that would be his final game in the league. Now, the left-handed quarterback is a college football analyst on FOX. Leinart never really worked out in the pros, but he will remain a legend for his work as a Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion. And despite some "embarrassment'' along the way? That will be enough for him. Related: Bills' 'Magical' James Cook Gets Brutal Prediction from Insider This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
'I was so embarrassed': Heisman winner Matt Leinart opens up about the game that broke him before walking away from NFL
'I was so embarrassed': Heisman winner Matt Leinart opens up about the game that broke him before walking away from NFL (Image via Getty) When you think of college football superstars, Matt Leinart comes to mind. He owned the Heisman Trophy in 2004 and promptly in large part helped the University of Southern California win a couple of national championships. However, his NFL experience didn't go quite that way. Matt Leinart took the step of entering the 2006 NFL draft highly regarded, yet, it just didn't happen. Most will just remember him as an Arizona Cardinals quarterback. What many forget is how his football journey ended in 2013. Matt Leinart recently shared the painful moment he knew his career was over and it happened far away from the spotlight, in a preseason game with the Buffalo Bills. Matt Leinart calls final game with Buffalo Bills 'Embarrassing' On a Throwbacks Podcast on June 20, 2025, former NFL quarterback Matt Leinart revealed the last time he played football. It was August 29, 2013 against the Detroit Lions, the Buffalo Bills' last preseason game. The Buffalo Bills lost 35-13. Matt Leinart was signed just days before after injuries hit the Buffalo Bills' quarterback group. Matt Leinart said he felt broken standing on the sideline that night. 'I stood there like someone had died,' he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Our one of a kind Patented Cold Water Extraction Process Superior Ginseng Undo 'I kept my helmet on the whole time so no one could see my face. I was so embarrassed. I knew it was my last time on a football field.' He ended the game with only 3 rushing completions on 10 passes and 2 interceptions. Although he had played with the Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, and Las Vegas Raiders, this game with the Buffalo Bills would be the end of his NFL career. Matt Leinart reflects on his career and what happened after Matt Leinart was taken by the Arizona Cardinals as the 10th overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft. Although he started with some excitement to his career, too often he was unable to show that he could be one of the top NFL quarterbacks. After playing seven seasons in the NFL, Matt Leinart officially retired from the NFL at age 30. Today, he is a college football analyst for FOX Sports. Although the NFL didn't end the way that he would've liked, fans will always cherish his quaint college experience at USC. Matt Leinart described his NFL days as hard, a seldom easy road, particularly for a guy who won the Heisman trophy. Also Read: 'You Still Have Time To Delete It': Buffalo Bills Fans React To Bills Celebrating Pride Month Follow all the live updates, scores, and highlights from the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
