Dave Portnoy, Big Noon Kickoff, and the Ohio State Problem

The college football season hasn’t even officially kicked off, yet controversy is already swirling around Fox Sports’ Big Noon Kickoff show. With ESPN’s College GameDay and Fox’s flagship pregame program both set to broadcast live from Columbus, OH Saturday, all eyes were already on Ohio State.

But, the spotlight has shifted to the newest addition to Fox’s panel—Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy—and whether he’s welcome inside Ohio Stadium for Saturday’s massive showdown with #1 Texas?

Fox Sports Welcomes Portnoy and Controversy That Follows

Fox Sports Lineup For Saturday’s 2025 Debut of Big Noon Kickoff

Fox announced earlier this summer that Portnoy would join host Rob Stone, alongside analysts Matt Leinart, Mark Ingram, Urban Meyer, and Brady Quinn on their coverage. The move immediately drew attention, as Portnoy has long been vocal in his criticism of Ohio State, despite hailing from Boston. Rumors began to swirl this week before the Buckeyes opening game to defend their 2024 title that Ohio State had banned Portnoy from appearing on the set inside the stadium for Saturday.

Did Ohio State or Did They Not?

Ohio State has denied issuing any ban, with a spokesman clarifying that the decision was made by Fox executives. According to SI.com’s Ross Dellenger, Fox determined Portnoy would not be seated at the main desk, and those contributors who aren’t part of the primary panel, typically don’t appear on the on-field set. Officially, the network framed it as a programming choice, though speculation grows that Ohio State’s athletic department quietly influenced the move to preserve its relationship with Fox and ensure continued access to head coach Ryan Day and his players throughout the rest of the year for Fox.

Critics, however, view the situation as weak on Ohio State’s part. “This gives Big Noon all the publicity they could have asked for,” noted  T.J. Rives in our “Last Word on Sports Media Podcast. “If you’re already worried about Portnoy stirring the pot, you’re playing right into his hands,” Rives continued.

Hear T.J. and co-host Mike Gill discuss more on the debut controversy on the pod by clicking play below:

Indeed, Portnoy thrives on controversy, and his inclusion is widely seen as Fox’s counter to ESPN’s Pat McAfee, whose larger-than-life presence has re-energized College GameDay. Whether Portnoy becomes a permanent fixture or a short-term experiment remains to be seen? Some even speculate his brash style and his “no holds barred” outlet in Barstool could create friction with Fox before the season ends.

For now, the drama has fueled anticipation. Both pregame shows will battle for ratings supremacy in Columbus Saturday, but thanks to the Portnoy saga, it’s Big Noon Kickoff that enters the weekend with the louder buzz.

Love him or hate him, Portnoy has already accomplished what Fox brought him in to do—make people talk or click.

Now, how long their marriage lasts? That’s going to be constantly up for debate.