Ohio State addresses allegation that David Portnoy is prohibited from accessing the stadium during his new position at Fox
In the world of NCAA Division I football, few rivalries are as intense as the one between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes. This long-standing rivalry reached a new milestone in 2021 when a skirmish erupted after The Wolverines beat the Buckeyes at The Horseshoe, leaving several players and coaches bloodied and pepper sprayed by members of law enforcement.
The history between these two powerhouse teams is massive. Each year, they face off, with Michigan currently on a four-game winning streak against Ohio State as we head into 2025. This rivalry is so significant that ESPN has ranked it as the 'greatest North American sports rivalry ever'.
However, a recent development threatens to shake up the dynamics of this rivalry. Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, has been banned from entering Ohio Stadium. This decision comes as a result of his outspoken support for Michigan and his frequent trolling of Ohio State and their head coach Ryan Day on social media.
The collaboration between Barstool Sports and Fox Sports, which includes boosting coverage around college football and other sports on the network, now faces a major stumbling block. Portnoy, who is not part of Fox's 'main desk' crew, will not be allowed to enter Ohio Stadium for the season-opener between Ohio State and Texas.
The issue may extend beyond Week 1 of the season, as Ohio State usually hosts multiple Big Noon games each year. Ohio State's Department of Athletics has provided a statement refuting the claim that Portnoy, or anyone, had been banned from entering the stadium.
Reactions to the news have been mixed. Some fans find it childish, while others see it as an iconic move in the ongoing saga of the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry. Despite being barred from the stadium, Portnoy is still expected to appear on Big Noon Kickoff, but will not feature for the end of the show inside the stadium.
The Barstool College Football Show, which was set to lead into Big Noon for select dates this season, will no longer run as previously planned on Saturday. As the season unfolds, it remains to be seen how this development will impact the already heated rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State.
