Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy finds himself in a precarious position with Fox and the University of Ohio State. Is Portnoy allowed to attend Ohio State’s game against Texas on Aug. 30?
Dave Portnoy Reportedly Banned From Ohio State
🏟️ Dave Portnoy NOT WELCOME inside Ohio Stadium
“There’s a legitimate conversation going if Big Noon thinks they’re finishing their show inside the Horseshoe. Dave Portnoy is NOT welcome.” -Austin Ward & Bobby Carpenter#BigNoon #OhioState @stoolpresidente pic.twitter.com/CmE0DIuvIN— Intrinsic (@intrinsicvalyou) August 25, 2025
Fox’s partnership with Portnoy has already generated headlines before he gets on the air.
In July, Portnoy and Fox Sports signed a media rights agreement that will put the Barstool Sports founder on Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff. Portnoy and Barstool’s roster will also host a morning show on FS1.
Big Noon Kickoff begins its season in Columbus for the big showdown between No. 3 Ohio State and No. 1 Texas.
Portnoy, a proud Michigan alum, is a vocal supporter of the Wolverines, so much so that he might not be allowed inside Ohio Stadium.
Former Ohio State player Bobby Carpenter and reporter Austin Ward said Portnoy is not welcome inside Ohio Stadium if the crew of Big Noon Kickoff makes its way to the field before the game.
Front Office Sports’ Ryan Glasspiegel then reported Ohio State is “barring” Barstool Sports from campus and Portnoy from entering the stadium.
It’s now become a “he said-she said” situation, as Ohio State’s AD Ross Bjork told Yahoo Sports that Fox, not the university, made the call to prohibit Portnoy from working the desk on the field.
“These are Fox decisions,” Bjork said, per Ross Dellenger.
A Big Ten spokesperson tells @YahooSports that it is the league’s understanding from Fox that Dave Portnoy will not appear on Big Noon Kickoff’s main stage inside the stadium of any conference school this year. https://t.co/qODvfqfFaA
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) August 26, 2025
Dave Portnoy Responds
I want Michigan vs Ohio to mean something again. And I love the people of Columbus outside the football team they root for. Good clean hardworking people. So I am going to give Buckeye Nation free advice. Stop pointing the finger. Look in the mirror. Get better. Get tougher. https://t.co/ZltE91GVtn pic.twitter.com/MLmnMkZI4q
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) August 26, 2025
The opinionated Portnoy could not remain on the sidelines with this drama and recorded an emergency press conference.
“So the big story involving me right now is Ohio State banning me from entering the Shoe to be part of Big Noon Kickoff on the field,” Portnoy said. “They also banned the Barstool Sports college football show. We were supposed to be in Columbus, we talked about being in Columbus, and then we got word that Ohio State was not going to allow us to be on campus with Big Noon Kickoff.”
Pornty believes Ohio State made the call to ban him. However, he understands Fox’s position, a network that wants to keep its Big Ten partners happy.
The Barstool Sports College Football was supposed to be broadcast in Columbus before Big Noon Kickoff. It will now be a studio show due to the ban.
In true Portnoy fashion, he flipped the script and respected the ban, saying Ohio State should embrace it.
“Take accountability for your [Ohio State’s] actions. Yeah, we banned him. Just say it,” Portnoy said. “Yeah, we banned him. Don’t point the finger. Don’t blame Connor Stalions. Don’t blame the hammer. Just look in there and say we’re weak, we’re soft, and until we get better, we’re never going to beat this team.”
