Angel Reese has criticized Barstool Sports for a “double standard” in how they reported on two instances of the same celebration. “Lol I’ve seen this before,” Reese said in response to a post on X about Barstool‘s reporting of celebrations performed by Ja Morant and Quinn Ewers. On December 26, Ja Morant faced scrutiny for performing the “Rock Ya Hips”, a dance move popularized in New Orleans. Morant used it to troll the Pelicans. However, the celebration was initially misreported as a gunfire celebration. “Ja spraying imaginary bullets into section 113 after slam,” was the way that Barstool reported it on social media. However, when Texas QB Quinn Ewers did the same celebration during the Sugar Bowl, Barstool said that Ewers was “having fun”.
Of course, Reese is no stranger to the ire of Barstool. The outlet, and its founder Dave Portnoy, were some of the biggest critics of Reese after she hit Tony Yayo’s “You Can’t See Me” during the National Championship. Barstool‘s coverage has long been criticized for racial bias, especially against Black athletes.
However, Reese and Morant are far from the only people that Barstool has gone after. In September 2023, Portnoy saw his beef with the owner of Dragon Pizza in Somerville, Massachusetts go viral. Portnoy visited the shop in an episode of his show, One Bite Pizza. While reviewing the pizza shop, Portnoy was interrupted by the owner, who confronted the media mogul. “Enjoy your pizza as any customer but I don’t appreciate what you do. Coming in and judging a business with one bite,” the owner yelled at Portnoy. Ever the mature human being, Portnoy had Barstool publish an article that called the man “one of the worst humans in history”.
Portnoy, the founder and owner of Barstool Sports, may have a legion of fans online. However, he is much less loved in the real world. In 2013, Portnoy tried to run for Mayor of Boston but failed to get enough signatures to appear on the ballot. Furthermore, many Massachusetts residents aren’t fond of him. MassTok has been full of videos of people hailing the pizza shop owner as a hero for standing up to Portnoy. Of course, Barstool‘s loyal army of trolls was also present to attack the man who said some mildly mean things to “El Presidente”.
Dave Portnoy is once again the sole owner of Barstool Sports. Founded by Portnoy in 2003, the controversial media outlet had been acquired by gambling company PENN Entertainment earlier this year for $551 million. PENN had purchased a minority stake in the outlet for $163 million in 2020. “PENN Entertainment and Barstool Sports have gone our separate ways,” Portnoy said in a video posted to X. “So that is right, for the first time in a decade, I own 100% of Barstool Sports.”
The move comes after PENN entered into a new agreement with ESPN to rebrand the outlet’s betting content. The division away from Barstool comes as a move to cut ties with the company after the initial relationship caused problems for Penn. “Every time we did something, it was one step forward, two steps back,” Portnoy said in his video announcement on Tuesday. “We got denied licenses because of me. You name it. So the regulated industry probably not the best place for Barstool Sports and the type of content we make.” The relationship had also caused stock prices to tank. Penn’s stock was up 14% in the hours after the new agreement with ESPN.
As mentioned, the decision comes after PENN entered into a new agreement with ESPN. Under the 10-year deal, Barstool Sportsbook will be rebranded as ESPN Bet. Per Penn’s announcement, ESPN will receive $1.5 billion as part of the deal and a further $500 million in warrants tied to media, marketing, and other services. The service will be continued to be called theScore Bet in Canada. PENN also operates the theScore media outlet, which primarily focuses on esports coverage on platforms such as YouTube.
“This transformative, exclusive agreement with ESPN marks another major milestone in PENN’s evolution from a pure-play U.S. regional gaming operator to a North American entertainment leader. ESPN Bet will be deeply integrated with ESPN’s broad editorial, content, digital and linear product, and sports programming ecosystem. ESPN Bet will also benefit from PENN’s operational experience, extensive market access and proprietary technology platform, which successfully debuted in the U.S. this July,” said Penn CEO Jay Snowden.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy — famously known as El Presidente, aka The Mogul, aka Davey Pageviews — is one of the most recognizable faces in the American sports media industry. Famously known as the founder of the multi-million dollar online media outlet Barstool Sports, he’s also a stock trader, who often appears on Fox News’ business segments, and a pizza enthusiast. Over the course of Barstool’s 20-year existence, he accumulated a massive following on his Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter pages. However, Portnoy’s controversial takes have turned him into a polarizing presence online and in the sports world.
Portnoy’s Upbringing
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 15: Barstool Sports founder David Portnoy attends Game Seven of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on May 15, 2022, in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Portnoy was born in Swampscott, Massachusetts, on March 22, 1977. He attended Swampscott High School, where he met ESPN’s football analyst Todd McShay. He later enrolled at the University of Michigan where he graduated with a degree in education in 1999.
While at Michigan, he launched thegamblingman.com, a website where he shared his sports betting picks. David moved to Boston and began his post-college career at IT market research firm, Yankee Group. He spent four years working for the company before eventually leaving the company to focus on starting his own Barstool Sports.
Portnoy’s personal life has been a topic of interest among his fans, with many curious about his relationship status and hobbies. He married his ex-wife Renee Satterthwaite, known as the “First Lady of Barstool Nation” among fans, in 2009. However, their marriage ended in 2017 after Portnoy’s affair with a woman named Jordyn Hamilton became public. As expected, Portnoy’s also an avid sports enthusiast, particularly of the New England Patriots and Boston Bruins. According to Celebrity Net Worth, David Portnoy’s net worth is estimated to be between $100 – $120 million.
In 2003, Portnoy founded Barstool Sports, a four-page sports newspaper he distributed by hand on Boston’s subway platforms and street corners. The paper was initially written solely by Portnoy but eventually expanded to include freelance writers, including former classmate Todd McShay.
The newspaper initially struggled but gained popularity in 2004. Portnoy began featuring photos of women in bikinis on the front page. In 2007, Barstool transitioned into a blog, where he cultivated his persona as “El Presidente,” a blunt and candid character that appealed to young men and became a mainstay of bro culture.
The blog quickly gained a following for its humorous takes on sports and pop culture and expanded to cover the latest news. Over the years, under Dave Portnoy’s guidance, Barstool Sports transformed into a multimedia company that includes podcasts, video content, and merchandise.
Despite facing criticism for disparaging and offensive comments towards women and other marginalized groups, Barstool Sports grew in popularity. They attracted investment from The Chernin Group, which purchased a majority stake in 2016. Four years later, Penn Entertainment acquired a 36% stake in the company, bringing Barstool’s valuation to $450 million. In February 2023, Penn Entertainment acquired the remaining stake in Barstool Sports for $388 million, with Portnoy retaining creative control over the content.
Portnoy’s love of pizza became a significant part of his public persona. He started reviewing pizza places in 2007 on his blog and social media channels, leading to the launch of his YouTube channel, One Bite With Davey Pageviews. The page featured Portnoy’s reviews of different pizza places across Manhatten, and eventually, globally. His pizza reviews are known for their honest and straightforward approach. It often features Portnoy taking large bites out of the pizza while giving his thoughts on the taste and texture. Eventually, this led to several partnerships with renowned pizza companies, including DiGiorno. In 2021, Portnoy also launched his frozen pizza brand, One Bite Pizza.
Controversies
I’d agree with you that if Clark did exactly what Reese did and I went after Reese and not Clark then it would be fair to suggest it’s rooted in race. However they didn’t do remotely the same thing and if you can’t see that then race is clouding your perspective not mine https://t.co/vypfHx9bbQ
Dave Portnoy has been embroiled in many controversies since Barstool Sports’ inception in 2003. Portnoy caught backlash after making light of sexual assault victims, saying, “If you’re a size 6 and you’re wearing skinny jeans, you kind of deserve to be raped, right?” He later issued an apology for this comment. Portnoy’s decision to post a naked photo of Tom Brady’s 20-month-old son in 2011 resulted in a visit from Massachusetts State Police. He eventually pulled the photo from his blog.
In 2016, Barstool Sports faced accusations of racism after publishing a post that mocked Colin Kaepernick. Portnoy defended the post, stating that it was meant to be a joke and that the company did not condone racism. However, the incident led to several advertisers pulling their support from the site.
Additionally, Portnoy has faced backlash for Barstool’s use of derogatory language and the alleged treatment of female employees. He was criticized in the past for making inappropriate comments toward women and accused of promoting sexual harassment, which he denied. ESPN’s Sam Ponder, for example, called him out for a string of statements he made toward her, including suggesting that she needed to be more “slutty.” Ultimately, the controversies surrounding Portnoy have led many publications and news outlets to describe Barstool as a place that fosters misogynistic culture.
Despite the controversies, Portnoy and Barstool Sports have used their platform to support various charitable causes over the years. One notable example is the Barstool Fund, which Portnoy launched in December 2020 to support small businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund initially started with $500,000 of Portnoy’s money and quickly gained momentum.
The Barstool Fund received widespread praise for its transparency and direct approach to providing financial assistance to small businesses. As of April 2023, the fund has raised nearly $42 million. Portnoy has been actively involved in the fund’s efforts, regularly sharing updates and encouraging donations on his social media channels.
In addition to the Barstool Fund, Barstool Sports have also supported other charitable causes, including the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Portnoy has also used his platform to raise awareness and funds for various social issues, such as a Veteran’s Day fundraising campaign for mental health.
After Portnoy made a reported $100 million from selling his sports media company, Barstool Sports. Since then, he has continued to grow his wealth. Portnoy has made substantial investments in real estate over the years, is an avid stock trader, and dabbles in cryptocurrencies, too. Near the end of 2022, Portnoy launched a watch company, Brick Watch Company. That same year, he filed a lawsuit against news publisher Insider for publishing two stories alleging sexual misconduct against Portnoy. He dropped the lawsuit in February 2023.
Patrick Beverley is one of the latest players to get their very own podcast. Beverley has had his podcast on Barstool Sports since the beginning of the season, and overall, it has been a decent success. Beverley is known for being one of the more entertaining players in the league, so a podcast just makes sense for him. Moreover, he is a polarizing figure, which means both fans and haters are always going to tune in. For Dave Portnoy, hiring Beverley was a no-brainer.
One of the biggest topics in the NBA right now involves none other than Ja Morant. Of course, Beverley has been tasked with speaking on this issue. Although he has never played with Morant, he can still speak to the situation. He has been around the NBA for over a decade, and he has some strong opinions on what could be going on here. During the latest episode of the Barstool Rundown, Beverley blamed the Morant situation on music.
Patrick Beverley Weighs In
“I think music has a lot to do with this now,” Beverley said. “… The culture now is ‘shoot them up, bang, bang, shoot them up, bend you over, I got this amount of money, I’m on private jets, that that that.’ That’s what the younger generation is. Sadly to say it shouldn’t be based on our music, but it is mostly based on what we listen to and that’s how it is.” Overall, this is a controversial statement to make. Blaming hip-hop for violence is a playbook that has been used since the 90s. However, many would disagree with the premise entirely. Regardless, that did not stop Beverley from voicing his opinion.
At this point, there really is no point trying to blame the Morant situation on one particular facet of life and culture. Now, Morant is getting help, and that is all that should matter. While his actions were clearly wrong, the only thing he can do now is rehabilitating himself and change for the better. Let us know what you think of Beverley’s comments, in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from the sports world.
The next month saw Drizzy bring home a Grammy in the Melodic Rap Song category. He was awarded for his contribution to Future’s hit song “Wait For U” with Tems. Following that, Drake got caught up in the murder trial for XXXTentacion. He was requested to attend a deposition in court regarding the case. This was likely due to a momentary beef he had with the slain rapper while he was still alive. However, on Feb. 14, he was cleared of his duties involving in the case.
Drake Comes Clean
Drake says his 42 diamond engagement ring necklace was a joke that people took too seriously pic.twitter.com/tigF2fmVH0
“It was more just a joke but obviously people took it pretty literal. I was just tryna have an interesting story,” he said. Drake has become just as much of a jokester as he is a rapper and romantic. Known most of his career to be either a melodramatic songbird or cutthroat MC, Drake seems to be more light-hearted nowadays. So, it’s no surprise that he would joke about having this many failed relationships. After all, Drake can afford an elaborate gimmick like this. Plus, it is still an incredibly beautiful necklace. Let us know what you think about all this, in the comments below.
Drake and his son Adonis just participated in a hilarious interview with Barstool Sports. Moreover, it formed part of the Sundae Conversation with Caleb Pressley series, where he interviews various celebrities. Of course, there’s a bit of a parody element to it, thanks to Pressley’s comical questions and delivery. Furthermore, they covered a lot of topics, including the 6 God’s parenting skills, his private plane, and his 42-diamond necklace. Overall, it was a pretty funny and earnest interview, and all parties seemed to have a good time.
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 7: Drake sits with his son Adonis before the Toronto Raptors play the Philadelphia 76ers in their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on April 7, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)”n”n”n”n”n
Well, Adonis didn’t thank Caleb for his new basketball merch, but that was the only part. He also had a hilarious moment where he said he didn’t know how to read. Pressley asked him if he thought he’d be able to read if he had a better dad. Looking over at Drake, Adonis said “This is my better dad. [But] yeah. And that’s a funny dad, and also he does a lot of jokes.” In addition, Pressley asked Drake if his son ever cockblocks him to not split his inheritance.
However, one of the most interesting revelations in the interview concerns the Canadian star’s chain made of engagement rings. Readers may remember that the promotion behind it claimed that its 42 diamonds represent each time he wanted to propose. However, Drake clarified that it’s not meant to represent that so literally. “Well, yeah, it was more just a joke. But, obviously people took it pretty literal. I was just trying to have an interesting story.” To give you an idea of how the interview went, Pressley’s response was quite odd. He pointed to his co-host and said he has a necklace for every time he’s thought about boobs. Drake laughed hard, especially after he saw the necklace dragged down into a massive clump on the floor.
Also, they spoke of how to properly call women: b***hes or h*es. Moreover, Drizzy said that the latter is always better than the former, and doesn’t throw around the b-word in the everyday anymore. Of course, these comments are quite cheeky considering some of his lyrical content. “I’ll blow half a million on you h*es, I’m a feminist,” he rapped on Her Loss. Another hilarious moment was a debate on whether Dan Aykroyd invented Patrón Tequila.
Fun fact: Aykroyd’s the importing agent for Patrón into Canada. Overall, the “One Dance” star gave one piece of cryptically wise advice when talking about gambling. “You can always bet on fatherhood,” he expressed. Given that Drake interviews are rare, such a hilarious video with so many highlights is even rarer. Check out the full interview above and let us know your favorite moments in the comments down below. Also, as always, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest on Drake and more funny interview moments.
NFL Hall-of-Famer and current Jackson State University Football head coach Deion “Prime Time” Sanders reveals he’s had two toes amputated due to foot surgery complications in an emotional Instagram post on Tuesday afternoon (Mar 8). The viewer’s discretion advised post on his verified profile showed the removal of his big toe and second toe on his left foot immediately after surgery several weeks ago. The revelation comes in promoting Sanders’ new episode of his Barstool Sports presented docu-series called “Coach Prime.”
I told y’all we were gonna show it all in this documentary and that’s what this is. I got to warn ya This ain’t a pretty sight! I may have lost a couple soldiers in the battle but I never lost my faith in God! @barstoolsports@SMACpic.twitter.com/dkjD83IAnL
“I told y’all we were gonna show it all in this documentary and that’s what this is,” Sanders captioned with the preview of the documentary’s episode 5 on Instagram. “I got to warn ya This ain’t a pretty sight! I may have lost a couple soldiers in the battle but I never lost my faith in God! I endured a lot while I was in the hospital during our historic season but I am so thankful for GOD being there to help pull me through. I am so thankful for those who sent messages of faith and those who visited me during this troubling time. This episode of Coach Prime is an emotional one and you all deserve to know what went down so that’s exactly what we gon show you! I Love y’all and am elated to be on my way back. Episode 5 tonight at 7 PM CT on barstools YouTube.”
Last September, Coach Prime reportedly had foot surgery, initially, to fix a long-time injury. But, ultimately, after eight surgeries and months needing a wheelchair and scooter to get around, Sanders had to have two mangled toes from the left foot surgically removed. Doctors initially feared that the legend would lose the entire left leg due to complications.
Sanders and his family promised to reveal more on the new episode. “Coach Prime” originally premiered in August 2021, following Sanders’ becoming Head Coach at Jackson State University, which he accepted that same year. The series is currently on its second season with Barstool Sports and SMAC.
Before the release of episode 5, check out episode 1 of season 2 below, and watch the complete series, available now on Barstool Sports’ official YouTube channel.
SUNDAE CONVERSATION 
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