Barstool Sports founder and proud Michigan alum Dave Portnoy has been banned from entering Ohio Stadium (also known as “The Horseshoe”) during the upcoming Ohio State vs. Texas season opener.
Interestingly, Portnoy is scheduled to appear on Fox’s ‘Big Noon kickoff’. Fox Sports had anticipated possible issues and has planned the broadcast accordingly. While Portnoy will be on the pre-game program but when they enter the stadium, the Barstool Sports founder won’t enter with the rest of the commentators.
“Ohio State is barring Barstool Sports from campus and its founder, Dave Portnoy, from entering Ohio Stadium for the school’s huge opening-week matchup against Texas on Saturday, sources told Front Office Sports,” Ryan Glasspiegel of FOS said. “Portnoy will still appear on Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff, but not for the end of the show inside the stadium, a source said.”
Portnoy’s ban had to do with his outspoken allegiance to Michigan, a fierce rival of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Despite the Ohio State becoming national champions last season, they were unable to break their losing streak against Michigan, which is now 4-0 in the last few games.
Also Read: Dave Portnoy weighs in on Michigan QB Bryce Underwood’s Heisman hopes in 2025
Fans Have Quite the Chatter Regarding Dave Portnoy’s Ban From Ohio Stadium
When fans first learned about the news on X, they debated about the ban.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, who is set to be an analyst on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff this season, has reportedly been banned from entering Ohio Stadium for Ohio State’s season opener against Texas. https://t.co/XLuaqZceRl pic.twitter.com/X37SX6lZCX
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) August 26, 2025
Some fans found the move a good riddance of Dave Portnoy from getting anywhere near the Ohio State program.
“Good. Fight back against Fox. We already have to play at noon every game – don’t make us have to listen to him on top of that. If we wanted to see him we’d watch barstool show,” one fan said.
“Good! Dave Portnoy is a bum!” another wrote.
“Good, ban fox from having their show on campus all together,” one fan commented.
“Good! Go eat pizza outside by the trash dumpster,” another added.
Some fans believe this move from Ohio State could backfire on the program.
“If true it’s a Win for Dave. He’s an attention needing click w*ore,” one fan added.
“As an OSU fan this makes us look like weak Candy a**es. You can’t come in because you bust our ba**s and donate?” another wrote.
“Would we be banning him if we were on a winning streak over Michigan? Portnoy will eat this up as well as the folks in AA. Silly move,,,,,,,,” another wrote.
Meanwhile, Dave Portnoy has been relentless throwing sarcastic jabs against the Buckeyes all offseason, showing he has no love for the program who just won it all.
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