A state lawmaker in Ohio has had enough of Ohio State football games kicking off at noon – and he’s now taking legislative action to put an end to the trend.
State Rep. Tex Fischer, a Republican representing the Youngstown area, introduced a bill this week aimed at restricting early start times for Buckeye football games.
The proposed legislation would prohibit Ohio State games from beginning before 3:30 p.m. ET under specific conditions, namely when another public university from Ohio is involved or when both competing teams are ranked in the Associated Press Top 10.
The measure notably exempts the annual rivalry clash against Michigan, which has traditionally been played at noon.
“I think it greatly degrades both the fan experience, and if you’ve got recruits going to that game, they’re being robbed of the opportunity to experience an absolutely incredible atmosphere,” Rep. Fischer said, via The Columbus Dispatch.
Fischer expressed frustration with FOX Sports, which often features Ohio State in its high-profile “Big Noon Kickoff” time slot to maximize viewership.
“FOX tends to just stick Ohio State in the noon slot every opportunity they get. It’s a guaranteed way to get great ratings,” he added.
The proposal comes amid backlash over FOX’s announcement that it will televise the highly anticipated Ohio State vs. Texas showdown in Columbus on August 30 – likely at noon.
Fans took to social media to express disappointment, wanting the primetime stage for such a marquee matchup.
Last season, FOX also aired the high-profile Michigan vs. Texas game at noon, further fueling criticism.
Under Fischer’s bill, any violation of the proposed start-time restrictions could trigger a $10 million fine, payable either by the home team’s conference or the television network, depending on which entity scheduled the game.
This isn’t the first attempt from Ohio legislators to intervene in the Buckeyes’ broadcast arrangements.
Earlier this year, Ohio State Sen. Bill DeMora introduced a separate bill aimed at preventing the university’s football games from being exclusive to streaming services.
As the intersection of college football, media rights, and state politics continues to evolve, Fischer’s legislation highlights growing concerns among fans and lawmakers alike about how game-day experiences are being shaped by television executives.
What are your thoughts on Fischer’s proposal???
