Is Barstool Sports Founder, Dave Portnoy, Leaving the Company?
Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, has been with the company for nearly 20 years. However, in a recent appearance on “The Kirk Minihane Show,” Portnoy revealed that his contract with parent company Penn Entertainment is up in 20 months, and he is unsure if he will reach an extension. This has led to speculation about his future with the brand and whether or not Barstool Sports will continue to be associated with its controversial founder.
Background of Barstool Sports and Its Acquisition by Penn Entertainment
Barstool Sports was founded in 2003 as a free print tabloid for transit commuters in the Boston area. Since then, it has grown into a sprawling national digital media empire with a loyal following of consumers. In 2020, parent company Penn Entertainment finalized its acquisition of Barstool Sports, paying a total of $551 million to buy it from The Chernin Group. The primary goal of the acquisition was to develop an online sportsbook, and most states with legal sports betting ultimately licensed Barstool Sportsbook.
Portnoy’s Contract Up in 20 Months, and He’s Unsure of His Future with the Company
In a recent appearance on “The Kirk Minihane Show,” Portnoy revealed that his contract with Penn Entertainment is up in 20 months, and he is unsure if he will reach an extension. This has led to speculation about his future with the brand and whether or not Barstool Sports will continue to be associated with its controversial founder.
Portnoy Opposed Firing Ben Mintz for Rapping a Racial Slur on a Livestream
During the same appearance on “The Kirk Minihane Show,” Portnoy expressed his opposition to the firing of host Ben Mintz for rapping a racial slur on a livestream. This has added to the controversy surrounding Portnoy and his future with the brand, as it highlights his willingness to take risks and push boundaries in order to maintain Barstool Sports’ authenticity.
Speculation About Penn’s Calculations if Portnoy Leaves the Company
The subtext of what Portnoy means when he says he doesn’t know what the company is thinking is that they might calculate the cost/benefit of Barstool being less of a lightning rod with state gambling regulators if the controversial Portnoy leaves when his deal is up. Barstool Sportsbook was licensed in Massachusetts earlier this year, but it was an arduous process, and the platform is not licensed in New York. Penn National wants to ensure it retains gambling licenses, and having controversial Barstool Sports personalities could at times complicate the situation. Moving on from Portnoy has the potential to redefine the brand itself, something that could ultimately prove harmful in the eyes of its dedicated legion of consumers.
Possible Future Endeavors for Portnoy If He Leaves Barstool Sports
If Portnoy’s contract is not renewed with Penn National, he would have to consider several options regarding what to do in the future.
Podcast Host
Portnoy mentioned the possibility of doing a podcast a week that’s “totally unfiltered.” This could provide him with an outlet for his unique brand of humor and commentary, without the constraints and controversies of working for a larger corporation.
Pizza Review Show
Portnoy has also considered launching a pizza review show on Netflix, perhaps similar to what Anthony Bourdain did during his time as a celebrity chef. This could be a way for him to continue his popular pizza reviews, while branching out into new avenues of content creation.
Barstool Sports Named Best Bar Town by Barstool Sports
In a recent article, Barstool Sports named Syracuse the “Best Bar Town” for some strange reason. The article describes the experiences of a Syracuse University student during a recent visit by Dave Portnoy, Brianna Chickenfry, Josh Richards, and Grace O’Malley. While the article is mostly lighthearted, it highlights the powerful influence that Barstool Sports has over its audience and the cultural impact it has had on college campuses across the country.
Conclusion
The future of Barstool Sports and its founder, Dave Portnoy, is uncertain. While Portnoy’s contract with parent company Penn Entertainment is up in 20 months, he is unsure if he will reach an extension. This has led to speculation about his future with the brand and whether or not Barstool Sports will continue to be associated with its controversial founder. Regardless of what happens, it’s clear that Barstool Sports has had a significant impact on the world of media and entertainment, and it will continue to be a major cultural force for years to come.
FAQs
1. Will Dave Portnoy leave Barstool Sports?
Portnoy’s contract with parent company Penn Entertainment is up in 20 months, and he is unsure if he will reach an extension. This has led to speculation about his future with the brand and whether or not he will leave.
2. What is Barstool Sports?
Barstool Sports is a digital media company that was founded in 2003 as a free print tabloid for transit commuters in the Boston area. Since then, it has grown into a sprawling national digital media empire with a loyal following of consumers.
3. Why is Barstool Sports controversial?
Barstool Sports has been controversial due to the company’s willingness to take risks and push boundaries, often resulting in criticism and accusations of sexism, racism, and other forms of bigotry.
4. What is the future of Barstool Sports?
The future of Barstool Sports is uncertain. While founder Dave Portnoy’s contract with parent company Penn Entertainment is up in 20 months, he is unsure if he will reach an extension. This has led to speculation about his future with the brand and whether or not Barstool Sports will continue to be associated with its controversial founder.
5. What is the “Best Bar Town” according to Barstool Sports?
Barstool Sports named Syracuse the “Best Bar Town” in a recent article, highlighting the experiences of its student writer during a visit by Barstool Sports personalities Dave Portnoy, Brianna Chickenfry, Josh Richards, and Grace O’Malley.
