Ohio Bars Dave Portnoy from Ohio Stadium
Ohio Stadium has officially banned Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, from attending events during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff.” Even though Barstool Sports can’t be present on campus or inside the stadium, Portnoy will still participate in the Saturday show.
However, it seems he won’t appear at the end of the show in the stadium, as typically happens. That’s what sources are saying, anyway.
“Big Noon Kickoff,” which is seen as a competitor to ESPN’s “College Gameday,” is set to air from Columbus before the much-anticipated season opener against the No. 1 ranked Texas. Fox had previously announced that Portnoy would join the College Football Show and enter a broader agreement to stream Barstool’s “Barstool College Football Show” on Tubi before the kickoff event.
It’s worth mentioning that sources indicated Fox anticipated some complications with Portnoy and Ohio State, and that’s why the initial plans didn’t include sports media figures venturing into the stadium.
The Barstool College Football Show will continue as planned, despite the restrictions placed on Portnoy. A spokesperson from Fox Sports chose not to comment on the situation.
Portnoy didn’t hold back his thoughts after the news broke. He’s known for teasing Ohio fans and even shared a photo of himself with sunglasses and a mustache in reaction to social media responses regarding the ban.
“I love this rivalry,” Portnoy posted, adding a cheeky note that a team needs to win every now and then for it to truly be considered a rivalry.
Dan “Big Cat” Katz, also from Barstool Sports, referred to Ohio State’s decision as “ridiculous.” In a surprising turn, Connor Stalions, a former staff member associated with Michigan’s football scandal, chimed in, asking Portnoy if he needed a ticket.
This whole situation seems to have sparked quite a debate, with various local media covering developments, hinting at some “legal conversations” surrounding the issue.
As a reminder, the sentiment among some former players, like Bobby Carpenter, suggests there are many who aren’t thrilled about Portnoy’s involvement in “Big Noon Kickoff.”
