The Ohio State University has communicated that Dave Portnoy, who established Barstool Sports, faces no prohibition from entering the stadium for Saturday’s contest between the top-ranked University of Texas and the No. 3-ranked Buckeyes.
Portnoy is slated to participate in Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame broadcast starting in 2025. A report surfaced Monday suggesting Ohio State would prevent Portnoy, an alumnus of the University of Michigan, from accessing the stadium before the game. Fox’s pregame show typically sets up its broadcast location on the field when covering games at Noon ET.
However, Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork stated to Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger that Portnoy — a well-known internet personality — wasn’t scheduled to be on the field set. The school did not, therefore, impose any ban on him.
The Big Ten Conference supported Bjork’s statement.
Front Office Sports originally reported on the situation with Portnoy on Monday. Their reporting indicated that “one source said Fox foresaw potential issues with Portnoy and Ohio State and that the network’s initial strategy didn’t involve him entering the stadium.”
On Tuesday morning, Portnoy released a video lasting over five minutes, detailing his perspective on the matter while wearing a Michigan hat. He mentioned that Fox was placed in an “uncomfortable position” and that he’s “supporting the Big Ten” in the upcoming game.
The controversy involving Portnoy provides added publicity for Fox’s pregame show before the most anticipated game of college football’s opening weekend. Texas holds the No. 1 position in the AP Top 25 preseason poll for the first time, with QB Arch Manning starting his inaugural season as the team’s primary quarterback. Ohio State emerged victorious in the initial 12-team College Football Playoff last season.
“Big Noon Kickoff” typically draws lower viewership than ESPN’s established “College GameDay” on Saturday mornings. The show on Saturday will also compete directly with the final “GameDay” appearance of esteemed analyst Lee Corso, who is scheduled to retire following Week 1.
