Ohio State Bars Barstool Founder Portnoy From Stadium Debut

Ohio State University has barred Barstool Sports founder and Michigan alum Dave Portnoy from entering Ohio Stadium for the Week 1 matchup between Ohio State and Texas, preventing him from participating in the concluding segment of FOX Sports' Big Noon Kickoff inside the stadium. Despite the ban, Portnoy will still appear earlier on the pregame show, although the Barstool College Football Show will no longer run as initially planned and will instead join Big Noon Kickoff for select dates on the road. The decision stems from Portnoy's history of trolling Ohio State and head coach Ryan Day, as well as his involvement in recruiting efforts for Michigan, Ohio State's rival, which has fueled tensions further. Ohio State's move has drawn criticism, with some viewing the ban as a sign of the program's intolerance and softness, arguing that allowing fans and media figures like Portnoy to be present and vocally opposed is part of what makes sports rivalries compelling. Fox anticipated the conflict and planned for Portnoy's limited access, with no official comment from Ohio State or FOX Sports at this time. Portnoy responded humorously on social media, referencing a past stadium ban during Super Bowl LIII.