Several news outlets reported that Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy was banned from entering the Ohio Stadium for the season opener between the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Portnoy’s unwavering allegiance to Michigan was suspected to have cost him this ban in the first place. Michigan is a fierce rival of the Buckeyes, and they have won the last four encounters.
Interestingly, the outlets also mentioned that Portnoy was expected to appear on Fox’s pregame Big Noon kickoff show, but won’t have access inside the stadium. This led to many fans taking a dig at Portnoy.
Hours later, insider Ross Dellenger came out and said that Ohio State did not place any ban on Portnoy, confirming the same with Ohio State AD Ross Bjork. He added that it was all FOX’s decision not to have Portnoy on the Big Noon desk. The insider wrote on X:
“Ohio State did not issue a ban on Dave Portnoy, AD Ross Bjork tells
@YahooSports. Bjork confirms that FOX decided Portnoy would not be on the main desk of Big Noon Kickoff and those not on the desk do not normally appear on the field. These are Fox decisions, he emphasized.”
Ohio State did not issue a ban on Dave Portnoy, AD Ross Bjork tells @YahooSports. Bjork confirms that FOX decided Portnoy would not be on the main desk of Big Noon Kickoff and those not on the desk do not normally appear on the field. These are Fox decisions, he emphasized.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) August 26, 2025
Amid conflicting reports, Portnoy came out and addressed the Ohio State fans directly for taking a jibe at him over the alleged ban. He wrote on X:
“I want Michigan vs Ohio to mean something again. And I love the people of Columbus outside the football team they root for. Good clean hardworking people. So I am going to give Buckeye Nation free advice. Stop pointing the finger. Look in the mirror. Get better. Get tougher.”
I want Michigan vs Ohio to mean something again. And I love the people of Columbus outside the football team they root for. Good clean hardworking people. So I am going to give Buckeye Nation free advice. Stop pointing the finger. Look in the mirror. Get better. Get tougher. https://t.co/ZltE91GVtn pic.twitter.com/MLmnMkZI4q
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) August 26, 2025
Dave Portnoy Reveals Truth Regarding Alleged Ban On Him By Ohio State
Apart from the tweet, Portnoy also attached a video where he issued a clarification and revealed how the rumor started in the first place. He took a shot at former NFL linebacker Bobby Carpenter for spreading the false news of the ban in the first place.
“Story breaks — Bobby Carpenter, the old, I think it’s Bobby, the old linebacker from Ohio State,” Portnoy said. “He has a podcast that nobody listens to, and they basically say they have it on authority, a hundred percent certainty, that people within the administration of Ohio State have banned me and Barstool Sports. So that starts the story.”
Portnoy added that he already knew that his potential appearance was canceled.
“I already knew this for a week and a half. We canceled our production, we had to pay a late fee, all the stuff for not coming to Ohio State, Columbus,” Portnoy added. “But, but, but Robby Carpenter – Bobby Carpenter – he gets the ball rolling. It becomes a story. I still hadn’t said much.
“I’m just kind of like, oh, you know, the me and the emoji with the, or the picture with the mustache, like when I snuck into the Super Bowl. But then Ross Bjork, the AD of Ohio State, comes out. He’s like, that’s a lie. We would never ban Dave.”
Portnoy also threw dirt on Bjork on not owning up what the situation was really about. He added:
“I have no problem with Ross Bjork and Ohio State, but this is my advice. And this is why we kick your ass inside out every single Thanksgiving weekend. This is why you haven’t beaten us in a decade. Stop pussyfooting. Stop making excuses. Stop crying about planting flags. Stop crying about the hammer and Connor Stalions. Just own up.”
Portnoy pretty much says that Ohio State’s administration blocked him and Barstool from appearing at Big Noon Kickoff in Columbus, despite Fox wanting him there.
Also Read: Is Michigan Superfan Dave Portnoy Banned From Entering Ohio State’s Stadium? Fans Debate As New Fox Host Faces Heat Of Rivalry
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