Ohio Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Ban Noon Kickoffs for State Universities, Citing Health, Safety, and Fan Experience Concerns

An Ohio lawmaker has introduced a bold and controversial proposal that could significantly alter the landscape of college football in the Buckeye State. A bill authored by a member of the Ohio General Assembly seeks to prohibit public universities in Ohio—such as Ohio State, Cincinnati, Bowling Green, and others—from scheduling home football games with noon kickoffs. The legislation, if passed, would reshape not only the schedules of some of the state’s biggest sports programs but also the traditions surrounding college football Saturdays.

The bill’s sponsor, Representative Mark Langston, a Democrat from Columbus and a lifelong Ohio State fan, said the proposed legislation is driven by concerns over public safety, student welfare, and the fan experience. According to Langston, early games often force students and fans to wake up before dawn, rush to stadiums or tailgates, and engage in unsafe behaviors to meet kickoff times that, he argues, only benefit television networks. “This bill isn’t about fighting football. It’s about putting the people who support these programs—the students, the alumni, the fans—first again,” Langston said in a statement.

Langston’s proposal would prohibit any public university in Ohio from scheduling a home game with a kickoff before 1:00 p.m. The rule would apply to all regular-season contests but would not affect postseason or bowl games, nor would it restrict games scheduled outside the state. Violating the law would trigger penalties including potential fines or loss of certain public funds tied to athletic departments.

The bill, still in its early stages of discussion within committee, has already triggered a wide range of reactions. Supporters argue that the current system, dictated largely by national television contracts and major conference scheduling mandates, prioritizes media and revenue over what is best for students and communities. “We’ve let ESPN and Fox dictate when our teams take the field,” said Langston. “It’s time to start acting like these universities belong to the people of Ohio—not the programming departments of New York and Los Angeles.”

College football games with noon kickoffs are a long-standing tradition in many parts of the country, but Ohio is a prime example of the trend’s intensity. For years, Ohio State football games at the Horseshoe have regularly kicked off at 12:00 p.m. Eastern. Those games often draw massive television audiences but have also prompted complaints from fans and student groups alike. Tailgating starts early—sometimes as early as 6:00 a.m.—and student sections are frequently seen with large gaps at kickoff. Attendance often swells as the game progresses, but many say the experience is diminished compared to late-afternoon or evening games.

Many student leaders at Ohio State have voiced support for Langston’s bill. “It’s exhausting and unhealthy to have to wake up that early for a game,” said Brooke Hammond, a senior at OSU and president of a student spirit organization. “It might seem minor to some people, but when you’ve got to balance school, work, and a social life, having to show up for tailgate at 7 a.m. every Saturday is not ideal.”

University officials have offered mixed reactions. While none of the state’s major universities have formally taken a stance, anonymous sources within athletic departments say the bill would cause significant logistical headaches. Television revenue is often tied directly to when games are played, and networks prefer to spread marquee games across various time slots throughout the day. “The noon window is not just a tradition; it’s a business reality,” one Big Ten administrator said. “If you start taking entire time slots off the table, you risk losing exposure and millions in revenue.”

That, say critics of the bill, is precisely the point—and the problem. College football, particularly at the Power Five level, has become inextricably tied to TV rights and media deals. The Big Ten recently signed a multi-billion-dollar television agreement with Fox, CBS, and NBC. Under that contract, games are slotted at noon, 3:30 p.m., and primetime to ensure wall-to-wall coverage on Saturdays. Ohio State is often chosen for the noon slot because of its national appeal and strong television ratings.

Langston argues that revenue should not come at the expense of people. “I understand this might cost money, and I’m okay with that,” he said during a recent press conference. “We’re talking about a once-a-week event that dominates campus life for months. We ought to make sure we’re doing it in a way that benefits students and the local economy, not just TV executives.”

Local business owners are torn on the issue. Some bar and restaurant owners near Ohio State’s campus say they’d prefer later games, which keep customers around longer and create more of a “Saturday night out” environment. Others worry that eliminating noon games could concentrate traffic, overwhelm public safety resources, and limit opportunities for family-friendly events. “Noon kickoffs are nice for parents with kids,” said Denise Krauss, who owns a pizza shop two blocks from the Horseshoe. “You go to the game, have lunch, and you’re home before dinner. I get that students want night games, but there are different audiences here.”

The debate has also sparked partisan tensions at the statehouse. Some Republican lawmakers have already dismissed the bill as overreach. “We don’t need the government telling our universities how to schedule football games,” said Rep. Tyler Jameson, a Republican from the Cincinnati suburbs. “This is a free-market decision that schools and networks should be allowed to make. What’s next—legislating tip-off times for basketball?”

Langston counters that the state already funds these universities with taxpayer dollars and has an obligation to ensure that they are operating in the public interest. “This isn’t some private league. These are public institutions. We have a right to set basic parameters for how they operate—especially when it involves thousands of students and tens of millions in public investment.”

The NCAA has not commented on the proposed legislation, and it remains unclear whether the bill would face legal challenges if passed. There is no precedent for a state law directly dictating the kickoff times of college football games. If Ohio passes the bill, other states could follow suit, potentially creating conflicts with national TV contracts and conference scheduling.

Coaches have mostly avoided public comment, though one assistant coach at a MAC school privately suggested the idea could benefit player performance. “You get more recovery time, better nutrition, and a more complete pregame routine with later kickoffs,” the coach said. “There’s a reason why the NFL rarely schedules games at noon local time unless they absolutely have to. It’s about maximizing performance.”

Langston says he is still open to modifying the bill. He’s had discussions about possibly carving out exemptions for special rivalry games or circumstances beyond a university’s control, such as rescheduled games due to weather. But he remains firm in his desire to end what he calls “the tyranny of the noon kickoff.” He also noted that student mental health is one of the bill’s underlying motivations. “We talk a lot about mental health these days. Well, let’s start showing it matters. These kids are exhausted. We can do better.”

The bill will likely face its first legislative hearing later this summer. Langston says he plans to invite students, alumni, and medical experts to testify. “This is about more than football,” he said. “It’s about quality of life. It’s about making Saturday feel like a celebration again—not a chore.”

Whether the bill survives in its current form or is watered down through compromise, it has already sparked a rare conversation in state government about the role of college sports in campus life. In a state where football is practically a second religion, it’s not easy to challenge long-held traditions. But Langston believes he’s starting a necessary dialogue. “We’re not trying to ruin the game,” he said. “We’re trying to respect the people who make it special.”

As Ohio prepares for another fall of packed stadiums and roaring crowds, fans and lawmakers alike will be watching the legislative process closely. For some, it’s a long-overdue correction. For others, it’s government meddling in a cherished institution. Either way, the days of setting your alarm for sunrise tailgates in Columbus may soon be coming to an end—depending on how the votes fall in the capital.