Dave Portnoy’s new hosting gig on Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff has stirred controversy before the Barstool Sports founder even hits the airwaves.
Portnoy, 48, will make his debut on the college football morning show when Ohio State hosts Texas in Columbus on Saturday, August 30.
Front Office Sports reported on Monday, August 25, that Portnoy — who attended the University of Michigan and is a die-hard supporter of Ohio State’s bitter rival — had been barred by Ohio State from entering Ohio Stadium for Saturday’s broadcast.
Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork attempted to distance the university from the report on Tuesday, August 26, telling Yahoo Sports that Portnoy will not appear on the Big Noon Kickoff main desk and only individuals who sit at the desk appear on the field.
“These are Fox decisions,” Bjork said.
Ohio State expanded on the decision-making process in a statement to Front Office Sports on Tuesday.
“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,” the statement read. “They informed us that David Portnoy is not part of their ‘main desk’ crew. Ohio State did not ban anyone from our stadium.”
Portnoy responded to all the back-and-forth in a video posted Tuesday on social media, alleging Ohio State had banned The Barstool College Football Show from appearing in Columbus.
“Ohio State literally can’t even focus on Texas,” Portnoy said. “‘We cannot have Dave on the set. We just can’t.’ And I wasn’t going to say anything. I was like, ‘Alright, we’ll just go to Week 2.’ I’m trying to be the good soldier, the good partner. We’re just starting this thing with Fox.”
Portnoy said he had known of his alleged banning for “a week and a half” before the news broke and called out Bjork for “making excuses.”
“You banned me,” Portnoy said. “You’re scared of Michigan and the only way you guys are ever gonna compete with us again is if you can look yourselves in the mirror and be honest with yourself.”
Portnoy first reacted to the news of his alleged banning on Monday, when he responded to Front Office Sports’ report via X with a picture of him wearing a mustache and sunglasses disguise.
The post drew the attention of Connor Stalions, the former University of Michigan football staff member who was implicated in the school’s 2023 sign-stealing controversy, which included Stalions, 30, being photographed in disguise on the sidelines of a game between Michigan State and Central Michigan in September 2023.
“You need tickets?” Stalions responded to Portnoy’s post, which the Barstool CEO reposted.
Big Noon Kickoff airs live from Columbus on Saturday, August 29, at 9 a.m. ET on Fox.
