Dave Portnoy opens up on reported ban from Big Ten stadiums: 'It creates a WWE environment'

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy feels ready for the WWE after just two weeks of appearing on Big Noon Kickoff while dealing with a reported “ban” from entering Big Ten stadiums. Portnoy opened up his experience as a part of FOX Sports‘ weekly Saturday pregame show during a recent appearance on the House Rhules podcast with Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule.

“I love it. Now there’s a fellow coach in your conference who, from what I’ve heard, is not a fan of me and my brand. I’m not going to say his name, but it rhymes with Tyan Hay,” Portnoy joked, obviously referencing Ohio State’s Ryan Day. “So, I was banded from The Shoe in Week 1. Which, by the way, is great for me. Like, it creates a WWE environment, and our people get it. But the people on the panel, and the show, awesome. It’s been a ton of fun. We were at Iowa State, which I thought was superb. I wish we could go to the game this weekend, but it’s not a FOX game, so we’re going to be out in Utah, which I’ve never been. But it’s been great, a fun experience.”

Portnoy, a millionaire businessman and unapologetic diehard Michigan fan, was banned from entering Ohio Stadium during Big Noon Kickoff‘s Week 1 show ahead of the season-opening matchup between then-No. 1 Texas and then-No. 3 Ohio State on Aug. 30. Front Office Sports initially reported it was Ohio State that spearheaded a conference-wide ban inhibiting Portnoy from entering Big Ten stadiums, though Buckeyes athletics director Ross Bjork disputed that and said it was ultimately a decision FOX made.

The ban wasn’t an issue for Week 2’s show at the Big 12’s Iowa State ahead of its rivalry game with the Big Ten’s Iowa, and Portnoy was unable to attend Week 3’s show at Northwestern ahead of the Big Ten opener vs. No. 4 Oregon, allowing Pardon My Take’s Dan ‘Big Cat’ Katz to step in for him. As mentioned above, Portnoy is expected to return Saturday for Big Noon Kickoff’s Week 4 show between Big 12 powers No. 17 Texas Tech at No. 16 Utah in Salt Lake City.

Given his diehard Michigan fandom and unabashed personality, Portnoy has been a controversial addition to FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff show this season. And the Barstool founder has fully leaned into the controversy, including calling out the Wolverines coaching staff at halftime of Week 2’s 24-13 loss at then-No. 18 Oklahoma.

Dave Portnoy blasts Michigan coaching staff, defends Bryce Underwood in NSFW rant

Following a disappointing first half in Week 2’s game between Michigan and Oklahoma, Portnoy went on a NSFW rant about Michigan’s underperforming offense. In it, he called for the Wolverines to unleash five-star freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood a little more.

“That was an infuriating half of football to watch,” Portnoy said. “It’s like, I don’t care if we go there, get our ass beat. But I’m not just going to sit there and watch Sherrone Moore and Michigan put their d*cks in their f***ing back pockets and not even try to score. Like, you put handcuffs on Bryce Underwood. I would be fighting everyone on the sideline if I was Bryce Underwood.

“Let the kid throw. Like, who cares if you lose by seven, 10, 14, or 400? Let the kid throw. Run, run, pass. Run, run, pass. Run, run, pass. They’ve got 32 guys in the box, 32 guys in the box. We’ve got the best quarterback recruit of all-time and you’ve got him in f***ing handcuffs. Wake the f*** up and let him play football.”

Michigan’s offense behind Underwood, whose commitment Portnoy helped secure through NIL contributions, has been called into question early this season. And, based on his Week 2 rant, Portnoy is clearly fed up with the situation. The Wolverines (2-1) responded with a 63-3 blowout win of Central Michigan in which Underwood combined for nearly 350 yards of total offense and three touchdowns.

Underwood played high school football at Belleville (MI), where he was a Five-Star Plus+ prospect. He was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.