Dave Portnoy’s planned on-air debut for Fox Sports’ “Big Noon Kickoff” at Saturday’s Texas–Ohio State opener has been restricted to areas outside Ohio Stadium after conflicting accounts emerged over who barred the Barstool Sports founder from entering the venue. Front Office Sports first reported that Ohio State had prohibited Portnoy, an outspoken Michigan alumnus, from both the campus and the stadium. Portnoy echoed that claim, saying the Buckeyes “banned” him and Barstool from the premises. Ohio State pushed back on Tuesday. Athletic Director Ross Bjork said the university never issued a ban, adding that Fox told the school only its main desk talent would be allowed inside the stadium for the broadcast’s final hour and that Portnoy is not part of that group. A statement obtained by USA Today reiterated that the limitation "was a Fox decision." A Big Ten spokesperson separately told Yahoo Sports the league understands from Fox that Portnoy will not appear on the main stage inside any conference stadium this season, suggesting his on-site access could be curtailed beyond Saturday. Fox has declined to clarify Portnoy’s exact role, leaving the dispute unresolved ahead of the No. 2 Buckeyes’ matchup with No. 1 Texas.