Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy recently had a chance to meet Ohio State legend Will Howard and came away a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback.
Portnoy is in town for Ohio State’s season-opener against the Texas Longhorns as he begins his stint with FOX Sports as part of the network’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show.
He had a chance to meet Howard on Friday and said the former Buckeyes signal-caller “seems like a great guy.”
“Also in an alternate universe I think I’d love Will Howard. Seems like a great guy,” Portnoy said.
In a video shared by Portnoy on X, the Barstool Sports founder shook hands with Howard and the two exchanged pleasantries. It isn’t clear if they had a chance to speak after that meeting.
Portnoy, who attended Michigan, has been embroiled in some controversy with Ohio State recently.
A report from Front Office Sports said that Ohio State had banned Portnoy and his company from the campus and Ohio Stadium.
“I wasn’t going to say anything… I’m trying to be a good partner, we’re just starting this thing with Fox,” he said of the ban. “They banned me from coming into their stadium. They banned our [Barstool’s] show from coming to campus. I feel bad because Fox is in the middle of it.”
Ohio State later addressed the matter, saying it was not responsible for the decision to keep Portnoy out of the stadium.
“Ohio State routinely holds planning meetings with media partners and provides input regarding broadcast set-up, kickoff times and other matters,” a university spokesman said.
“During planning meetings with FOX regarding Big Noon Kickoff’s visit to campus this week, FOX representatives informed the department that the only talent who would be inside Ohio Stadium for the last hour of the show would be their main set/desk talent team,” the statement added.
“This group comprises their halftime and post-game shows, as well. They informed us that David Portnoy is not part of their ‘main desk’ crew. Ohio State did not ban anyone from our stadium.”
As for Howard, he is starting his first season in the NFL on injured reserve thanks to a broken pinky. Howard noted on Friday that’s he’s going in the right direction and expects to start throwing again this week.
However, barring a catastrophic injury situation in Pittsburgh, Howard is unlikely to see the field at all in 2025, as he’s got both Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph ahead of him on the depth chart.
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