Dave Portnoy offers millions to ‘top-10 QBs’ in NIL at Michigan

Dave Portnoy is determined to land Michigan a top quarterback every year.

The Barstool Sports founder, a Michigan alum, made the comments in a video posted Thursday.

“Michigan, I will be your quarterback guy,” Dave Portnoy said. “I’ll talk to Sherrone [Moore], ‘Who do you guys want? Who’s in there?’ Give me a group. I’ll go sign them. One million, two million – whatever it is… (up to) $3 million.”

After Dan “Big Cat” Katz and others asked for details, Portnoy specified that he wants a top-10 quarterback at Michigan every year, whether out of high school or via the transfer portal. Katz chimed in that he’s on board to do the same for Wisconsin, his alma mater.

“I can get a quarterback. We don’t have a quarterback,” Portnoy said of Michigan. “If I don’t get the number one…I’m gonna get us a top-10 quarterback in the portal coming out every year. Top-10 quarterback and then here’s a little bit of the issue.”

While Katz hosts Pardon My Take, Portnoy has laid claim to using the popular podcast for his NIL deal.

“You’ll have to find something else because they’re doing a weekly spot on Pardon My Take. My guy, not your guy, my guy. That’s already been taken,” Portnoy said. “So, you’re gonna have to find something else for the Wisconsin guy. But college football recap, a college football hit. So, there’s two things. Three-million-dollar marketing agreement. I think that’s legal.”

The fall transfer portal window opens Dec. 9. Plenty of Michigan fans on social media are suggesting Portnoy look to Class of 2025 prospect Bryce Underwood for his first NIL deal. Out of Belleville High School in Michigan, Underwood is rated 5-stars and the No. 1 overall recruit on the 247Sports Composite. Underwood has been verbally committed to LSU since Jan. 6.

I will go out and get Michigan a top 10 QB every year with NIL #GoBlue

Full @Barstoolpickem here: https://t.co/RgTVCUWhK9 pic.twitter.com/Pr9DPpvVHb

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) September 26, 2024

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.