Major twist ahead of Dave Portnoy’s Fox TV debut after claims Ohio State banned him from their stadium

Ohio State has denied banning Dave Portnoy from entering its stadium ahead of his highly-anticipated TV debut this weekend.

The Barstool boss will appear on Fox Sports’ ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ for the college football curtain-raiser between Texas and Ohio State on Saturday. 

On Monday night, it was reported that Portnoy – an outspoken supporter of Michigan, the Buckeyes’ bitter rivals – had been barred from entering Ohio State’s stadium, the Horseshoe.

It was also claimed that Barstool Sports had been ordered to stay off campus altogether. On Tuesday morning however, Ohio State insisted it has not banned Portnoy.

Buckeyes athletics director Ross Bjork told Yahoo that it was Fox who decided the Barstool boss would not appear on the main desk of ‘Big Noon Kickoff’.

Bjork added that analysts do not normally appear on the field unless they are on that desk. 

On Monday, Front Office Sports reported that Portnoy will still appear on ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ but not for the end of the show inside the stadium. 

It was also claimed that the Barstool College Football Show, which is slated to occasionally join ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ on the road, will now no longer run this weekend. 

Daily Mail Sport has reached out to Fox Sports for comment.

Portnoy officially confirmed his partnership with the network in an ’emergency press conference’ last month. 

‘What conference has ruled college football year after year after year? National Champion after National Champion?’ Portnoy said a video posted to X. 

‘Answer: the Big Ten. And what network covers the Big Ten better than anybody else? Fox Sports. ‘Big Noon Kickoff.’ And what school has dominated the Big Ten more than any school in the history of the conference? The answer: the Michigan Wolverines. 

‘Well, that ends today, friends. Barstool Sports, myself, we are joining ‘Big Noon Kickoff.’ The days of kicking Michigan when we’re not around is over.’ 

He added ‘We’re going to partner with Big Noon Kickoff… I’m going to be on it every week.’ 

The Barstool Sports chief is among Michigan’s most outspoken fans and he has frequently taken shots at the Buckeyes as well as their head coach Ryan Day. 

Meanwhile, on the field last season, tensions spilled over after Michigan beat Ohio State for the fourth straight time in November. 

Following their 13-10 Michigan win over the No 2 Buckeyes, a group of Wolverines players planted their school flag on the field – considered a major sign of disrespect in college football.

That sparked a brawl, with punches thrown between the two teams. Michigan’s Derrick Moore then stoked the fire by planting a Michigan flag on the turf once more.

Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer responded by ripping the flag and more violence ensued between the two sides.