Dave Portnoy pledges to spend $3M annually on a Michigan football QB via transfer portal

Michigan football has fallen behind and struggled to play the name, image and likeness game similar to other programs around the conference and around the country. But one luminary in the sports world hopes to change that.

He may be something of a firebrand but Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy wears his love for all things maize and blue on his sleeve. And Portnoy made a promise that will certainly make Michigan fans happy — should the program accept his offer.

Portnoy posted on social media on Thursday that he will pledge $3 million annually to a top-flight quarterback to come to Ann Arbor and play for the Wolverines — something we see other schools doing but Michigan languishing behind in comparison.

While Portnoy wouldn’t necessarily need Michigan participation in this endeavor, Michigan would have to accept a transfer, no matter who it is — both through the coaches’ willingness as well as through admissions. It could also open things up if Portnoy was willing to pay for NIL for recruits. For instance, five-star QB Bryce Underwood hails from neighboring Belleville, yet he’s chosen to play his college ball at LSU, clear across the country.