Ohio Legislator Proposes Bill to Limit Noon Kickoffs for Ohio State Football Games, Citing Fan Experience and Economic Impact

In a move that has sparked widespread debate among fans, lawmakers, and university officials, an Ohio state legislator has introduced a bill that would curtail the frequency of noon kickoffs for Ohio State football games. The proposed legislation, aimed at enhancing the game day experience and boosting local economies, represents a rare instance of political intervention into college football scheduling.

The bill, introduced by State Senator Marcus Townsend, a Democrat representing Columbus and an Ohio State University alumnus, calls for a limitation on the number of noon starts that can be scheduled for the Buckeyes during the college football season. According to the proposed legislation, no more than two home games per regular season would be permitted to kick off at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The bill applies only to home games played at Ohio Stadium and would take effect starting with the 2026 season, should it pass through both legislative chambers and receive the governor’s signature.

Townsend, speaking at a press conference outside the Ohio Statehouse, explained that the measure is not meant to micromanage football operations but rather to address long-standing concerns from fans, local businesses, and university affiliates. “Noon kickoffs may be convenient for television networks,” Townsend said, “but they are a logistical headache for families, alumni, and fans traveling from all across Ohio and beyond. More importantly, they cost Columbus valuable economic activity and limit the overall game day experience that has become such a rich part of our state’s cultural fabric.”

The senator pointed to research and anecdotal evidence suggesting that later kickoff times, especially in the mid-to-late afternoon or prime time windows, generate greater fan engagement, longer visits to local businesses, and more overall revenue for the city. “When games start at noon, it shortens the day—restaurants, bars, and hotels see shorter traffic windows, and fans don’t have the same opportunity to fully enjoy everything Columbus has to offer,” he said. “This is not just about football—it’s about maximizing what Buckeye Saturdays mean to Ohio.”

Ohio State football is a massive economic engine, not only for the university but for the greater Columbus area. According to data provided by Experience Columbus, the city’s tourism bureau, an average home football weekend generates more than $15 million in economic activity. Local bar owners and hotel operators have long lamented that early kickoffs—especially when they occur frequently in a season—curb their revenue potential by cutting down on the pre- and post-game window for customer traffic.

The proposal has received a mixed reaction among Ohio lawmakers. While some have hailed it as a creative and commonsense approach to enhancing economic returns and fan satisfaction, others view it as an overreach of government into an area best left to sports administrators and television networks. Representative John Keeler, a Republican from northwest Ohio, expressed skepticism about the bill’s intent and potential impact. “I understand the spirit behind it, but the idea of legislating football start times is a slippery slope,” Keeler said. “Where does it end? Are we going to start setting the batting order for the Reds next?”

Nevertheless, public sentiment seems largely in favor of the change—at least among fans. A poll conducted by the Columbus Dispatch found that 64% of respondents support a reduction in noon kickoffs, with many citing the difficulty of getting to the stadium early, especially for families with young children or those traveling from out of town.

“We’re leaving at 5 a.m. to make it to a noon game from Cleveland,” said Angela Hammond, a lifelong Buckeyes fan. “It’s exhausting. You rush, you don’t get to tailgate, and by the time the game ends, you’re wiped out. I’d love to see more 3:30 or night games—those are so much more enjoyable.”

From the university’s perspective, the issue is complex. Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith, who is set to retire in 2025, has acknowledged fans’ frustrations with early starts but has also emphasized the realities of television rights and broadcast contracts. The Big Ten’s multimillion-dollar agreements with networks like Fox, CBS, and NBC give the networks considerable say over scheduling. Fox, in particular, has made noon games a centerpiece of its programming strategy, branding the early window as “Big Noon Saturday” and consistently scheduling top-tier matchups—including multiple Ohio State games—during that slot.

A spokesperson for the Ohio State athletic department issued a statement saying, “We appreciate Senator Townsend’s passion for Ohio State athletics and his desire to improve the fan experience. While we share many of these goals, the university remains committed to working collaboratively with our media partners, the Big Ten Conference, and the NCAA to ensure our football program thrives both on and off the field.”

Townsend said he understands the influence of television money but insisted that a better balance can be struck. “Television is important. We’re not saying eliminate noon games altogether—we’re just saying limit them. Other major programs like Alabama, Georgia, and USC aren’t playing five or six noon games a year. Why should we?”

The legislation leaves some flexibility in its language, allowing for exceptions in the case of weather issues or other extenuating circumstances. However, it makes clear that the scheduling policy would need to be coordinated between Ohio State, the Big Ten, and its broadcast partners in a manner compliant with contractual obligations.

The bill is expected to face challenges in committee, particularly from lawmakers who prioritize limited government intervention in sports and business. Still, political analysts believe that the bill has a decent chance of making it to the Senate floor, buoyed by bipartisan support from members whose districts see significant economic boosts from Buckeye game days.

“This isn’t a partisan issue,” Townsend emphasized. “Whether you’re a Democrat from Columbus or a Republican from Wooster, if you care about Ohio State football and your local economy, this is something worth exploring. We’re not trying to change the sport—we’re trying to elevate the experience.”

As the bill gains traction, others have speculated whether the proposal could inspire similar efforts in states with large college football programs. Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Texas all host powerhouse football programs that have fan bases with comparable concerns about kickoff times and local economic impact. For now, however, Ohio remains the focal point of what could become a larger national discussion about the balance between television revenue, athletic competition, and the in-person fan experience.

Meanwhile, some sports media executives have pushed back on the idea of political involvement in scheduling, warning that such measures could threaten the stability and value of long-term broadcast contracts. “These deals are built on predictable windows,” one executive said anonymously. “If states start imposing their own restrictions, it undermines the national product. You can’t have Ohio doing one thing and Michigan doing another.”

Others have urged compromise, suggesting that networks might voluntarily reduce the number of noon kickoffs for certain high-profile programs if enough pressure builds from fans and university administrators. Whether the networks will bend remains to be seen, but what is clear is that the noise around noon games is no longer just coming from the bleachers—it’s echoing through the statehouse.

The debate also underscores the changing landscape of college sports, where the traditional notion of amateur athletics has been transformed by media deals, NIL agreements, and a growing recognition of the commercial power college football wields. In that sense, Townsend’s bill may be more than a scheduling adjustment—it may be a reflection of how deeply embedded college football has become in the social and economic life of states like Ohio.

For now, all eyes will be on the Ohio legislature as it deliberates the bill in the coming months. Whether it passes or not, it has already accomplished one thing: it has reignited a broader conversation about how, when, and for whom college football is played. And in a state where fall Saturdays are practically sacred, that conversation is likely to continue long after the final whistle blows.