Dave Portnoy, the Barstool Sports founder and one of Big Noon Kickoff’s newest personalities, will not be allowed inside Ohio Stadium for Saturday’s high-profile showdown between Ohio State and Texas. While Portnoy is still slated to join the broadcast earlier in the day, he cannot follow the on-air crew into the stadium as the atmosphere builds.
Officials have barred Barstool Sports and Portnoy from entering campus for the game, according to reports, meaning Portnoy will participate in the show from outside the stadium rather than from the inside. The move is described as unprecedented in college football, highlighting a rare restriction on a prominent media figure at a major game.
Portnoy is well known for his outspoken support of Michigan, Ohio State’s longtime rival. The rivalry between the two programs adds an extra layer of intrigue to the situation, especially given Michigan’s recent success in the series. Portnoy has also discussed his involvement in recruiting talent to Michigan in the past, recounting interactions with donors and families in his own retellings.
Context and implications:
– This development underscores a growing tension between certain media personalities and access policies at large college football games.
– The absence of Portnoy from the stadium could affect the on-site dynamic of the broadcast, though he will still be featured as part of the pregame and outside segments.
– For fans, the outcome adds another chapter to the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry narrative that already colors the season.
What this means going forward:
– The decision signals that schools may take stricter steps to manage who can be inside the venue, even for high-profile media figures.
– Viewers can expect continued coverage of the Ohio State-Texas matchup with Portnoy contributing from outside, ensuring the broadcast still delivers his perspective to the audience.
Overall, the situation places a spotlight on access policies at college football games and the ongoing media buzz surrounding one of the sport’s most heated rivalries. A positive takeaway for fans is that Portnoy’s analysis and commentary will still be part of the broadcast, even if he cannot be inside the stadium for the key moments.