The recently announced Fox-Barstool partnership in college football is encountering some potential friction before the season even kicks off. A report late Monday stated that Ohio State barred Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy from being on the field at Ohio Stadium for Saturday’s marquee matchup between the Buckeyes and Texas.
The report stated that Portnoy will still appear on Big Noon Kickoff this Saturday on FOX Sports, but he will not be part of the show’s conclusion inside the stadium. Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork told Yahoo Sports Tuesday morning that the reason why Portnoy will not be allowed on the field is because of FOX Sports decision in how they’re using Portnoy on Saturday’s program.
“Ohio State did not issue a ban on Dave Portnoy, AD Ross Bjork tells Yahoo Sports,” tweeted Ross Dellenger, college football writer for Yahoo Sports. “Bjrok confirms that FOX decided Portnoy would not be on the main desk of Big Noon Kickoff and those not on the desk do not appear on the field. These are FOX decisions, he emphasized.”
Additionally, The Barstool College Football Show—which was expected to serve as a regular lead-in to FOX’s pregame broadcast—will not run on Saturday as initially planned, according to the initial reports.
When the partnership was announced earlier this summer, FOX Sports stated that the Barstool show would join Big Noon Kickoff on the road for select dates. Following the announcement, Portnoy posted a video of announcing the partnership with FOX Sports with the debut episode featuring his appearance at Ohio State and their “dysfunctional little national champion.”
Portnoy, a Michigan graduate, has made a name in part by antagonizing Ohio State for his entire time building Barstool Sports. His criticism of head coach Ryan Day has escalated in recent years as well. Portnoy has also been visible in Michigan recruiting circles.
The restrictions from Ohio State create a logistical challenge for FOX Sports potentially, which relies heavily on Buckeyes games for Big Noon Kickoff. Ohio State is a frequent centerpiece of the broadcast, and the network typically builds much of its college football Saturday around the Buckeyes’ schedule.
For FOX Sports, the collaboration with Barstool was meant to extend its reach into a younger, digital-first audience that the brand has cultivated. Portnoy nor FOX Sports has revealed full details of Portnoy’s role with Big Noon Kickoff as of posting. Last week, Portnoy stated on The Unnamed Show that he was still unsure about what his role would be with Big Noon Kickoff.
“I don’t even know how they’re using me yet. I don’t know that I’m on the panel,” explained Portnoy. “It appears to me, by the media coverage, people think I am the center of attention. I don’t think that’s how it’s going. I don’t know how we’re being used yet.”
The Barstool Sports founder explained last week he had yet to have a call with FOX Sports. He still does not know exactly what his role will be with the signature weekly college football pregame show. While Portnoy agreed that it’s getting close to the debut on the program, he believes FOX Sports has an idea already, even though it hasn’t been communicated.
“They have a clue. They already have a big panel,” explained Portnoy. “I had an idea. Why don’t we just have me listening in a corner and I keep notes. [Where] with everybody I hate what they said, I get a section just to attack them after.”
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