Fox Sports does not plan to feature Dave Portnoy on the main desk of Big Noon Kickoff, which effectively keeps him off the field at Big Ten stadiums this season.
The clarification comes after questions about whether Ohio State had banned Portnoy from Ohio Stadium ahead of the Buckeyes’ opener against Texas.
Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork told Yahoo Sports that the university did not issue a ban and stressed that the decision is entirely on Fox. “Ohio State did not issue a ban on Dave Portnoy,” Bjork said. “Those not on the main desk do not normally appear on the field. These are Fox decisions.” A Big Ten spokesperson confirmed that the league understands Portnoy will not appear on the main stage inside any conference stadium this year.
The timing created confusion because early reports suggested Portnoy was barred from attending the Ohio State–Texas game. That speculation quickly spread on social media, given Portnoy’s long history of antagonizing Ohio State fans and his outspoken support of Michigan. Instead, Fox appears to be managing his appearances in a way that avoids putting him on the field during the show.
Portnoy is still expected to contribute to Big Noon Kickoff, though his segments will be conducted from outside the stadium. Fox’s approach allows the network to use Portnoy’s visibility while limiting potential disruptions that might come with his presence on the field.
Portnoy became part of Fox’s college football coverage through a recent partnership between the network and Barstool Sports. That agreement expanded his media role with contributions to FS1 and digital platforms. The decision to keep him off the desk does not alter that arrangement but signals a calculated production choice heading into the 2025 season.
The situation reflects the tension between college football’s traditional settings and modern media strategies. Portnoy remains a polarizing figure who drives engagement, but Fox has chosen to separate that persona from the on-field presentation of its flagship college football show.
