Eric Boggs
As Ohio State prepares for Saturday’s massive season opener against Texas in a Cotton Bowl rematch, the university has made a significant off-the-field decision: Barstool Sports founder and outspoken Michigan fan Dave Portnoy has been banned from entering Ohio Stadium. The move ensures that the focus remains on the Buckeyes and the game itself rather than on the controversies surrounding one of college football’s most polarizing figures.
Portnoy, who is set to serve as an analyst on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff this season, will still appear on the network’s pregame broadcast but will not be allowed inside the stadium for the end of the show. The Barstool College Football Show, which often travels to high-profile games, will scheduled to be set up at the southwest section outside of Ohio Stadium and then will move inside the stadium as game time approaches.
For Ohio State fans, the decision is about more than just a football rivalry. Portnoy has a long and troubling history that stretches far beyond his love for Michigan and his frequent trolling of Buckeye Nation. Over the years, he has been entangled in numerous legal battles, arrests, and sexual misconduct allegations that make his presence at one of college football’s biggest stages a liability for the university.
In 2015, Portnoy and three Barstool employees were arrested after handcuffing themselves to the floor of the NFL’s Manhattan headquarters to protest the league’s Deflategate ruling. In 2019, he was arrested again and charged with criminal trespassing during Super Bowl LIII media events after sneaking in with a fake press pass. These high-profile incidents have contributed to his reputation for seeking attention through disruptive stunts.
However, Portnoy’s most damaging controversies stem from multiple sexual misconduct allegations. In 2021 and 2022, Insider published two detailed exposés featuring several women who accused Portnoy of engaging in “violent and humiliating” sexual encounters. Portnoy responded by filing a defamation lawsuit against Insider, but in 2022 a federal judge dismissed the case, ruling that Insider’s reporting was credible and of public concern. Following the articles, additional women came forward with accusations of sexual assault and harassment, further tarnishing Portnoy’s reputation.
His legal troubles don’t end there. In 2018, actor Michael Rapaport sued Portnoy and Barstool for defamation after Portnoy publicly accused him of being a racist and a fraud; both parties eventually dropped their claims in 2022. In another incident earlier this year, a Barstool Sports employee spread a false rumor about Ole Miss freshman Mary Kate Cornett, leading to online harassment. Portnoy later apologized and entered mediation with her family to avoid a lawsuit.
Financial and personal controversies also follow Portnoy. He filed for bankruptcy in 2004 due to gambling losses, faced a tax lien from the IRS in 2020, and dealt with public backlash over an antisemitic incident involving a Barstool bar earlier this year, though no charges were filed.
For Ohio State, this decision sends a clear message: the university is prioritizing its reputation, its fans, and the safety of its environment. Allowing someone with such a long list of legal and personal controversies into Ohio Stadium would only distract from the Buckeyes’ season opener and risk unnecessary negative attention.
Portnoy, unsurprisingly, responded to the ban on social media by posting a photo of himself wearing a fake mustache, drawing a playful response from disgraced former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions, who asked if Portnoy needed tickets. Stalions, known for orchestrating Michigan’s illegal sign-stealing scandal, has become a symbol of the Wolverines’ recent controversies — making his connection with Portnoy unsurprising.
With kickoff approaching, Ohio State fans can take pride in the university’s decision to keep the focus on football rather than drama. By keeping Dave Portnoy out of the Horseshoe, the Buckeyes are protecting their brand, their fans, and the integrity of the game ahead of one of the most anticipated matchups of the season.
