Photo: Getty Images
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy reportedly wasn't banned from Ohio Stadium for FOX Sports' Big Noon Kickoff show by Ohio State on Saturday (August 30), rather was told not to attend by the network, according to the university.
"Ohio State routinely holds planning meetings with media partners and provides input regarding broadcast set-up, kickoff times and other matters," Ohio State said in a statement shared by the Columbus Dispatch. "During planning meetings with FOX regarding Big Noon Kickoff’s visit to campus this week, FOX representatives informed the department that the only talent who would be inside Ohio Stadium for the last hour of the show would be their main set/desk talent team. This group comprises their halftime and post-game shows, as well. They informed us that David Portnoy is not part of their 'main desk' crew."
Additionally, Portnoy, 48, isn't expected to join the hosts on the main stage for any of the Big Noon Kickoff matchups during the upcoming season, a spokesperson for the Big Ten confirmed to Yahoo.
Portnoy will still appear on the pregame show, however, will not be featured during its concluding segment inside Ohio Stadium. The Barstool College Football Show has partnered with FOX Sports, however, will no longer run as the company had previously planned, instead being on the road with Big Noon Kickoff for "select dates," a source confirmed to Front Office Sports' Ryan Gasspiegel, who initially reported on the situation.
A source reportedly told Glasspiegel that FOX Sports anticipated potential issues with having Portnoy at Ohio State's home stadium, though a spokesperson for the network reportedly declined Front Office Sports' request for comment. Portnoy, a polarizing figure in sports and pop culture, has publicly trolled the Buckeyes and head coach Ryan Day in recent years and joined Oracle founder Larry Ellison, his partner and Michigan grad Keren Zhu and former Michigan quarterback Tom Brady in putting together an NIL deal for freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, the consensus No. 1 player in the 2025 national recruiting cycle, to sign with Michigan.