Rethinking Barstool?

[nattysez]

It does look dumb, but is it any different than Kanye dropping more than 40 n bombs in the song All Day? That is a serious question and I'm genuinely not sure of the answer.

They just did a podcast saying "we are going to take a stronger stand on this site's use of racist language" and then named the podcast something that gives the site the ability to put that word in its Twitter feed, on its home page, etc. That completely undermines their message imo. It also sounds like some of the podcast participants weren't told that that would be the name, which seems unfair and tone-deaf.

And that's without getting into the whole -a versus -er conversation.

Clearly, reasonable minds can disagree on this.

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

PFT is backtracking furiously on his personal blog, saying they've put their black employees into a bad situation, but he's also getting mercilessly slagged on Twitter for apparently never saying anything to Portnoy before today.

On the one hand it's likely a no-win situation for PFT. On the other, as others have pointed out, the very success and quality of Pardon My Take over the years has essentially fueled production of Portnoy's douchebaggery and other shit that frankly looks horrible.

 

[allstonite]

Tyler (@tyleriam in that picture) on the most recent episode of Mickstape discussed this whole situation and sounded disappointed and defeated. He clearly has no love at all for Portnoy. I feel awful for him because he's extremely funny and can be very thoughtful but every few months has to answer for his asshole racist boss as "the black guy." Much like Big Cat, the idea of being at a place like Barstool is perfect because they're both talented in unique ways and it allows them the freedom to get weird and try things other places would never afford them. This was before that other podcast copied earlier today and he sounds even more pissed because he wasn't aware of the name. It really must suck to have to choose between a dream job that suits your talents or standing up for your beliefs against a boss who thinks he's just being funny and trolling

View: https://twitter.com/TylerIAm/status/1278521046690336769


View: https://twitter.com/TylerIAm/status/1278712794708422658


I love Big Cat & PFT and they have some other properties that don't involve themselves in Portnoy's filth but it's getting harder and harder to look past when every few months they have to put out "we don't condone this behavior" blogs. Either take a real stance against it or own it. I'm not sure what that would look like but I can't support any of it much longer.

 

[johnmd20]

They just did a podcast saying "we are going to take a stronger stand on this site's use of racist language" and then named the podcast something that gives the site the ability to put that word in its Twitter feed, on its home page, etc. That completely undermines their message imo. It also sounds like some of the podcast participants weren't told that that would be the name, which seems unfair and tone-deaf.

And that's without getting into the whole -a versus -er conversation.

Clearly, reasonable minds can disagree on this.

I don't disagree. Portnoy is a piece of shit and he deserves no benefit of the doubt. It's a damn shame, too, because Barstool has some excellent hosts and phenomenal podcasts. But it's dirty with that absolute piece of human scum at the top, getting rich on everyone.

He's not talented or funny. He even makes pizza suck. As an aside, CNBC has had that asshole on multiple times over the past few weeks. It's all so gross. All the pigs feeding at the trough.

 

[bbc23]

Tyler (@tyleriam in that picture) on the most recent episode of Mickstape discussed this whole situation and sounded disappointed and defeated. He clearly has no love at all for Portnoy. I feel awful for him because he's extremely funny and can be very thoughtful but every few months has to answer for his asshole racist boss as "the black guy." Much like Big Cat, the idea of being at a place like Barstool is perfect because they're both talented in unique ways and it allows them the freedom to get weird and try things other places would never afford them. This was before that other podcast copied earlier today and he sounds even more pissed because he wasn't aware of the name. It really must suck to have to choose between a dream job that suits your talents or standing up for your beliefs against a boss who thinks he's just being funny and trolling

View: https://twitter.com/TylerIAm/status/1278521046690336769


View: https://twitter.com/TylerIAm/status/1278712794708422658


I love Big Cat & PFT and they have some other properties that don't involve themselves in Portnoy's filth but it's getting harder and harder to look past when every few months they have to put out "we don't condone this behavior" blogs. Either take a real stance against it or own it. I'm not sure what that would look like but I can't support any of it much longer.

This is pretty much where I'm at, it sucks for Tyler but Portnoy basically used them as a prop in his campaign of being uncancellable.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

How can a single person be such a piece of shit?

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

How can a single person be such a piece of shit?

He's (Portnoy) always been this way too; no one can argue that they're surprised at this point. No matter the ownership of the company, Portnoy is the public face of it. And he'll always act like this because it's now his brand.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

He's (Portnoy) always been this way too; no one can argue that they're surprised at this point. No matter the ownership of the company, Portnoy is the public face of it. And he'll always act like this because it's now his brand.

I don't know anything more than what I read here - I don't listen to them or read their blogs; I vaguely remember when they first came out having an app that had like "hot local girl of the week", or something like that, but I may be confusing that with another outlet; it's been easily 7 or 8 years since that app was deleted, but I *think* it was barstool? - but that doesn't surprise me and he's basically why I don't know more than I read here, I don't really care to support him; I just thought it was sophomoric type shit and "boobs...hehe" type stuff, I didn't realize how big oof a piece of shit he actually was until recently.

 

[joe dokes]

How can a single person be such a piece of shit?

He *was* married for awhile.

 

[Hoya81]

Honestly, I never understood how the site was able to survive posting the picture of Brady’s kid.

 

[jsinger121]

Honestly, I never understood how the site was able to survive posting the picture of Brady’s kid.

Did you see the pictures of portnoy and Brady at the derby last year? I’m pretty sure it was water under the bridge.

 

[Patriot_Reign]

for apparently never saying anything to Portnoy before today.

pft had a big blog post a couple years ago, where he wasn't in character, but was honestly addressing the issue that for barstool to get past the endless shots of sexism from their enemies they needed to be better and that he didn't agree with the content that led to those shots. i forgot the situation in particular what brought it on, but it was clear he didn't endorse that side of BS.

similarly, remember seeing one of BS's 'inside the office' type things where they show the daily workings and big cat was PISSED at someone for the same reason. that they had put in so much work to distance the current BS from the earlier version where it was all about chicks, the blackout tour stuff, etc. but when someone slips up now it sets them back years.

i'm sure they hate all this stuff, but don't see how they could ever leave. too vested, and honestly portnoy would just open up his paycheck. have to guess they could pretty much command whatever price they wanted.

 

[TSC]

I've defended Barstool for a while, probably longer than I should have.

I'm off the bandwagon, and I'm going to stop consuming the product. Spittin Chiclets, Zero Blog, PMT. I'm done. I can't continue to support those brands knowing they enable Dave Portnoy to have the platform he does.

I think the breaking point for me was seeing him tell Uncle Chaps today to "shut up," and then seeing the Stoolies attack Chaps - a purple heart Veteran, simply because of Portnoy. This is after Dave attacked one of his few black employees on Twitter, after than employee defended this tweet:

View: https://twitter.com/MujFricke/status/1279176104452947968?s=20


tldr; fuck Dave Portnoy.

edit: former Pat KVN has got Muj's back.

View: https://twitter.com/KVN_03/status/1279185383151058944?s=20

 

[nattysez]

Samer broke out the blowtorch a couple of days ago. He always comes off as a little whiny to me, and this is no exception, though I agree with what he wrote. Most relevant to this thread:

When ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt and Rachel Nichols associate with the less unsavory parts of Barstool, they launder the rest of the brand. It doesn’t matter if you hate Portnoy but consume one or two small parts of the company; the money all goes to the same place. Certain people have no problem standing up to the concept of obvious racism, except when a haven for obvious racism owns the podcasts they like.

Also not a great look:
View: https://twitter.com/stoolpresidente/status/1279430486218223616?s=19

 

[Caspir]

So if he stinks at making people laugh, and he was hired to make people laugh, then doesn’t that mean.... never mind. Racists don’t use logic.

 

[Auger34]

Samer broke out the blowtorch a couple of days ago. He always comes off as a little whiny to me, and this is no exception, though I agree with what he wrote. Most relevant to this thread:



Also not a great look:
View: https://twitter.com/stoolpresidente/status/1279430486218223616?s=19

I don’t have much to add to this but it’s truly amazing what a gigantic piece of shit Portnoy is.

I listened to the 80 minute podcast with the minorities at Barstool (not even going to get into the acronym here) but it was a fascinating listen. Mostly because it’s clear everyone on that pod thinks “El Pres” is an absolutely awful human being and there’s really not much being said to stick up for him.
The stuff he’s tweeting at Brandon is unreal. I don’t think anyone has ever thought Portnoy is very self aware but those messages prove that he has literally 0 self awareness. Fuck him and hopefully he’s forced out of there soon. (Although Erika Nardini seems all too willing to sweep everything he does under the rug or claim it was “out of context” or “‘misconstrued” so I don’t have much hope of him being kicked out)

 

[Bunt4aTriple]

I finally pulled the trigger and unsubscribed to PMT and unfollowed all bs Twitter accounts including Liz Gonzalez and Chaps. I dm'd the PMT account and let them know I was out until they found a new platform. It sucks, but Portnoy is a shit head, and I've been a consumer since the inception of the website.

 

[allstonite]

Tyler (@tyleriam in that picture) on the most recent episode of Mickstape discussed this whole situation and sounded disappointed and defeated. He clearly has no love at all for Portnoy. I feel awful for him because he's extremely funny and can be very thoughtful but every few months has to answer for his asshole racist boss as "the black guy." Much like Big Cat, the idea of being at a place like Barstool is perfect because they're both talented in unique ways and it allows them the freedom to get weird and try things other places would never afford them. This was before that other podcast copied earlier today and he sounds even more pissed because he wasn't aware of the name. It really must suck to have to choose between a dream job that suits your talents or standing up for your beliefs against a boss who thinks he's just being funny and trolling



I love Big Cat & PFT and they have some other properties that don't involve themselves in Portnoy's filth but it's getting harder and harder to look past when every few months they have to put out "we don't condone this behavior" blogs. Either take a real stance against it or own it. I'm not sure what that would look like but I can't support any of it much longer.

Update on Mickstape. It seems like Tyler is taking a break and very well could be gone. They didn’t do their usual episode on Tuesday and today it was usual host Coley but with human apology tour Big Cat and KFC (?!?). I made it about 10 minutes into the episode and had to shut it off. They acknowledged Dave was wrong and understood why Tyler is taking time off but then it turned into excuse making for Dave and them saying he’s not a racist etc. I checked around and it sounds like the rest of the podcast was more of the same


I probably should have done it sooner but I unsubscribed and deleted all my Barstool podcasts. It’s a shame because I do believe they have smart, talented, and well intentioned people but I don’t want to possibly put another penny in Portnoy’s pocket. I get that he gave a bunch of these guys careers they otherwise wouldn’t have but if you continually have to apologize for him because he won’t and make excuses then maybe he actually is just a bad guy.

I feel truly awful for Tyler because he’s super funny and thoughtful and they put him in an impossible position and then used his podcast to defend his asshole boss.

tldr: fuck Dave Portnoy

 

[NickEsasky]

Tyler resigns from Barstool. Funny dude and will likely be successful anywhere.

View: https://twitter.com/tyleriam/status/1283827540260421639?s=21

 

[allstonite]

I think they’re doing a last episode tomorrow. Fuck Portnoy. I wish Tyler nothing but success and hope he winds up somewhere big

 

[JCizzle]

I think they’re doing a last episode tomorrow. Fuck Portnoy. I wish Tyler nothing but success and hope he winds up somewhere big

This. Fuck Portnoy. If he showed a human amount of regret and empathy, then I imagine this situation plays out differently. He’s a true shit head.

 

[Cellar-Door]

This. Fuck Portnoy. If he showed a human amount of regret and empathy, then I imagine this situation plays out differently. He’s a true shit head.

Sure, but at the same time, this is what Barstool always was. It isn't like people didn't know that it was racist, sexist, homophobic and generally awful. They just liked being able to pretend it wasn't, or that by consuming only the least awful parts of it they were not supporting the bad parts. I'm glad that Portnoy is unrepentant, because it makes it harder for people to put a gloss over it and pretend they don't know who and what they support.

 

[allstonite]

I always knew what their “real” fans were but the company itself had pockets of decentness that were really smart and funny and unique.

Tyler did a lot of the main account social media. I know the morons won’t leave but I hope some of the more casual fans maybe notice a difference and leave. It’s a longshot but hopefully maybe this is a breaking point

 

[jsinger121]

I always knew what their “real” fans were but the company itself had pockets of decentness that were really smart and funny and unique.

Tyler did a lot of the main account social media. I know the morons won’t leave but I hope some of the more casual fans maybe notice a difference and leave. It’s a longshot but hopefully maybe this is a breaking point

I'd be stunned if there was a drop off of support. This wasn't a top guy leaving and they will probably have 100 plus applications to fill his spot to replace him. While he is talented he is replaceable.

 

[Spelunker]

I'd be stunned if there was a drop off of support. This wasn't a top guy leaving and they will probably have 100 plus applications to fill his spot to replace him. While he is talented he is replaceable.

And the fan base is mostly terrible.

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Sure, but at the same time, this is what Barstool always was. It isn't like people didn't know that it was racist, sexist, homophobic and generally awful. They just liked being able to pretend it wasn't, or that by consuming only the least awful parts of it they were not supporting the bad parts. I'm glad that Portnoy is unrepentant, because it makes it harder for people to put a gloss over it and pretend they don't know who and what they support.

Portnoy will always double down. He's never going to change because he's a shitty person AND it's now his brand to be an obnoxious, shitty person. And obviously that's been successful for him, unfortunately.

So now the onus is on both the consumers of Barstool's products and the other people who work there. There can be no arguing about who Portnoy is or what he represents. So if the consumers continue listening and subscribing to Barstool's stuff, and the employees keep working for Portnoy, then like it or not they are implicitly supporting him and his POV.

I don't think Big Cat's a bad guy at all but he's propping up Portnoy at this point and thus bears responsibility for Portnoy's horrible messaging.

 

[CaptainLaddie]

View: https://twitter.com/JasonHoffman93/status/1286429681928015872


Welp

 

[CaptainLaddie]

And there it is.

View: https://twitter.com/greg_price11/status/1286488398140768264

 

[PC Drunken Friar]

And there it is.

View: https://twitter.com/greg_price11/status/1286488398140768264

They are who we thought they were!!!!

 

[nattysez]

They are who we thought they were!!!!

If Portnoy had any balls, he'd have let Big Cat and PFT talk to him and actually made some news. Instead, it'll be "Fauci sucks, thanks for the stock market, when can we stop wearing masks, I hate cancel culture, all lives matter" nonsense.

 

[joe dokes]

They have something in common. They each have an inexplicable fan following. And each is willing to encourage their fans toward an increased likelihood of sickness and death in order to make money.

 

[GreyisGone]

They have something in common. They each have an inexplicable fan following. And each is willing to encourage their fans toward an increased likelihood of sickness and death in order to make money.

I mean Portnoy is basically a young Trump. Always attacking people, sexist, racist, focused on making money above all else, etc.

 

[joe dokes]

I mean Portnoy is basically a young Trump. Always attacking people, sexist, racist, focused on making money above all else, etc.

And unlike Trump, he actually made the money.

 

[sodenj5]

Portnoy is probably more qualified for a cabinet position than half of the people Trump already surrounds himself with. I’m only half joking.

Looks like we’re a month away from Barstool becoming state media and running “Keep America Great” ads.

 

[Vinho Tinto]

Looks like we’re a month away from Barstool becoming state media and running “Keep America Great” ads.

They have been broadcasting Info Scores for a few years now.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmbrsiqbW-o

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Does this surprise anyone? At all? Portnoy is squarely in Trump's wheelhouse.

They deserve each other.

 

[Mystic Merlin]

Yeah, but he gets web traffic and works hard!

 

[TheWizard]

Is Minihane's Podcast still part of Barstool or did he get booted from there too?

 

[Vinho Tinto]

Is Minihane's Podcast still part of Barstool or did he get booted from there too?

I just checked their Twitter feed. The last video was posted two hours ago and was tagged with the Barstool logo.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

I could know less than zero about Portnoy and what he spews, you could completely crop Trump out of that and airbrush in Obama and I'd still look at him be able to tell what a fucking jag off he is. Has he ever combed his hair or worn a tie before?

 

[CaptainLaddie]

Oddly enough I kind of think it’s pretty amazing this happened. I mean, I think it’s dumb and bad and all, but for all his bluster and bullshit, Portnoy really did bust his ass for close to 20 years, and this is the end result. I may personally not like it, but there is something oddly incredible about Dave Portnoy, the guy who I ran a trivia night for at Game On, interviewing the President.

 

[CaptainLaddie]

They have been broadcasting Info Scores for a few years now.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmbrsiqbW-o

Except this is parody. PFT is a lefty.

 

[Vinho Tinto]

Except this is parody. PFT is a lefty.

I understand that.

 

[kelpapa]

Except this is parody. PFT is a lefty.

Swing and a miss.

 

[CaptainLaddie]

My brain is broken, fellas.

 

[Dan Murfman]

If Portnoy had any balls, he'd have let Big Cat and PFT talk to him and actually made some news. Instead, it'll be "Fauci sucks, thanks for the stock market, when can we stop wearing masks, I hate cancel culture, all lives matter" nonsense.

Big Cat not thrilled that he did the interview. Says he doesn’t think they should be doing politics. Also said they him and PFT were offered Biden and they turned it down. He’s really not happy..

View: https://twitter.com/barstoolradio/status/1286700009589739521?s=21

 

[johnmd20]

He is very clearly not happy. I thought he did a solid job there.

I love PMT. Out of the millions of podcasts out there, I think it's literally the best one. The top dog.

But, man, Portnoy is an absolute disaster of a human. He sucks in every way. He might have built up Barstool, so props to his success(something Trump has literally never experienced) but he's a legitimately bad person. It sucks that PMT is under the Barstool umbrella.

And like Dan says, "It sucks, it's a tough realization."

 

[TFP]

Big Cat not thrilled that he did the interview. Says he doesn’t think they should be doing politics. Also said they him an$ PFT were offered Biden and they turned it down.

View: https://twitter.com/BarstoolRadio/status/1286700009589739521


Hoo boy, this is not good for Barstool or Dave. Big Cat is PISSED, especially because he didn't know about it in advance and feels blindsided. I didn't think this day would come, but Big Cat is not happy, and he NEVER rocks the boat, so him saying this at all is a huge step. I found this well said on his part, but we'll see if he'll walk away from the $ if it truly bothers him. But him saying "What am I doing here?" is a huge question for him to ask.

I have significantly dialed back my Barstool content lately with everything that's come to light and how things were handled. Them losing Tyler is just a huge blow that would never have happened in the past, and while Dave punching up at Goodell is hilarious (to me), Dave punching down at his POC employees is gross and made me angry. This doesn't feel like the old Barstool chaos days where they are united against outside criticism, this was a large faction of their own employees trying to do the right thing and make the company better and Portnoy refusing to believe he was wrong or to give an inch.

I've unsubscribed from the podcasts, unfollowed a ton of accounts on social media (but not all), and just reduced my consumption by a lot. They're still a really interesting business story in the changing media landscape, but I'll be watching from the outside.

Cue @Smiling Joe Hesketh's "I told you so!" post.

 

[nattysez]

Big Cat not thrilled that he did the interview. Says he doesn’t think they should be doing politics. Also said they him and PFT were offered Biden and they turned it down. He’s really not happy..

View: https://twitter.com/barstoolradio/status/1286700009589739521?s=21

This is similar to what caused one of the early fissures in the ESPN-Simmons relationship. They blocked him from podcasting with Obama and he was beside himself.

Edit: Just watched the video. While Dan sounds legitimately upset, and it seems like Barstool's culture dictates airing every shred of dirty laundry publicly, the fact that he did this on a show rather than in person with Portnoy or Nardini gives off the aroma of it being a bit. I guess we'll see.

 

[CantKeepmedown]

That's a very well thought out response by BC. And I guarantee you Dave is going to say that he doesn't care or he doesn't have to answer to BC or something like that. But there's no doubt barstool goes to shit if BC leaves. If he didn't have several millions at stake, I'd bet he strongly thinks about leaving.