Dave Portnoy says fans should risk getting hit by lightning rather than delay football games
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Dave Portnoy took a stand against weather delays during his appearance on Big Noon Kickoff on Saturday.
The Barstool Sports founder ranted against the uptick in lighting delays that college football fans and teams have had to endure so far this season. Portnoy’s solution: have fans sign a waiver that says they can’t sue the university if they’re struck by lightning during a game.
This would allow games to continue uninhibited by acts of Mother Nature, Portnoy says.
“I am sick of lightning delays in college football,” he said. “I don’t remember it growing up. You have 4, 5 games that have 4-hour delays. Everybody going in, sign a waiver. If you get struck by lightning, so be it. But when they do the delay, the fans have to leave the stadium anyway. So what if they get struck outside? Let’s play football … you sign [the waiver], lightning, if it hits you, it’s just not your day.”
Big Noon Kickoff panelist Brady Quinn didn’t seem to appreciate Portnoy’s idea.
“Step outside into a thunderstorm, Dave, before you start ranting about this stuff,” Quinn said.
Here’s a clip of the full segment:
Portnoy didn’t comment on the threat lightning could pose to players, coaches or staff on the playing field.
Per current NCAA rules, play must be suspended for a minimum of 30 minutes if lightning is detected within an 8-mile radius of the stadium.
The NCAA has had an official lightning safety policy since 1997.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
