I have been incredibly intrigued by Dave Portnoy and his unwavering commitment to remaining bold, brazen, honest and transparent, despite considerable criticism and asinine attempts to destroy his personal and professional credibility. The journey of the relentlessly hardworking Dave Portnoy is one that many don't know or don't care to research because it doesn't fit the narrative that has been built to paint an image of a misogynistic, toxic suit that founded Barstool Sports.

The truth, however, couldn't be further from the baseless media claims and unsubstantiated allegations, aimed to discredit the empire Portnoy has built and the tangible impactful change he has made. 

Though I have not had the privilege of personally crossing paths with Portnoy yet, I did have the opportunity to speak with the incredibly talented Kayce Smith last year who talked about the real Barstool and why it's an environment she feels so grateful to call home.

"A lot of times when people say they hate Barstool, I can guarantee they've never actually consumed what we do. Oh and also, as a woman in this company, I feel very safe and have never been treated better. So that whole 'Barstool treats their women employees poorly' narrative is just flat out incorrect." Smith shared with me. 

"I've never had more freedom to create content AND been treated with more respect than I have here." 

The entire article can be found here.

Dave Portnoy never ceases to amaze me as one of the most unique, dedicated and fearless creators in the ever changing world of media, not taking a vacation day in ten years.

As a founder of a small business himself, Portnoy understood what was at risk for so many other business owners around the country when the stringent COVID restrictions were imposed. Portnoy said he couldn't understand not letting business owners control their own destiny, but as so many small businesses were struggling to make ends meet with no help from official channels, Portnoy decided to put his money where his mouth was, starting the Barstool Fund and putting $500,000 of his own money toward the cause which was designed to help keep the lights on for the small businesses suffering, nationwide. This massive undertaking that Portnoy put into play certainly proved that fortune favors the bold, as the challenge went on to raise $39,325,493. As current and former athletes, celebrities and entrepreneurs donated to The Barstool Fund, the bottom line began to grow as more began to donate—Pat McAfee with $200,000, Kid Rock with $100,000, Dana White, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers with $500,000 and Elon Musk to name a few. Every dollar used to help businesses get on their feet after a national crisis, one of the most recent businesses helped by the The Barstool Fund being from my hometown in North Carolina, Zweli's. 

The latest campaign Portnoy became an integral part of was in passing legislation in Connecticut. His conversation about how New Haven, Connecticut, was the unequivocal pizza capital of the US, and having lived and worked in this market, I concur  wholeheartedly. Portnoy's expert analysis came from hundreds of pizza reviews on the One Bite YouTube Channel, amassing 148,119,726 views and reviewing hundreds of pizzas in a little over two years. Barstool has also launched the One Bite By Barstool Sports App that currently has earned a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars within the Apple App Store. Portnoy being Portnoy, naturally continued to share his findings championing change as Connecticut H.B. No. 5656, initially proposed by Colin Caplan, an act designating pizza as the state food of Connecticut, garnered more support. State Rep. Devin Carney specifically acknowledged Portnoy on the floor prior to the vote as he said, "I just want to say: One Bite, Everybody Knows The Rules. And El Pres, Dave Portnoy, who's probably the pizza expert of the world, said that New Haven was the pizza, so if he says it, then it's true. Let's vote for this."

H.B. No. 5656, An Act Designating Pizza As The State Food's goal "to recognize the contribution of pizza to the state's cuisine and economy by designating it as the state food" passed May 12, 2021 with a 131-9 vote in the Connecticut state House of Representatives, heading to the Connecticut State Senate where it's "favorable report" has been added to the calendar as of May 14, 2021.

Portnoy has affected change and helped so many through his career and at the young age of 44, the question had to be asked—has Dave Portnoy, El Presidente, considered a future in politics? 

Tucker Carlson asked Portnoy the very question on Fox Nation on May 10th to which Portnoy spoke candidly and honestly, as always. 

"I would never do that because you can't get anything done." Portnoy shared with Carlson.

"It's fairly disgusting in my mind that the government didn't do something, far earlier, since it took me 24 hours to come up with this concept, put it into motion and go. Everyone should want to help small businesses."

As a guest of Ben Shapiro's Show, Dave Portnoy described the origins of Barstool describing the evolution of the empire that is now Barstool Sports, which began as a sports gambling newspaper that he handed out at 4am outside of subway stations in Boston. 

"There was this opening, this window basically, for a different type of voice to reach sports fans and I thought that we could fill it with Barstool."

"I have no problem with politics being involved with sports, at some level. 

"I am a libertarian. That's exactly what I am. Socially liberal, financially conservative. That's where I land." Portnoy told Shapiro. 

"Join the club." Shapiro replied on his hour long The Ben Shapiro Show Sunday Special Episode 113. The interview has  771,581 views in just over a month.

One of the replies on this episode that really stood out was written by a Marine, Steve, who shared what Barstool meant to him.

"The year Barstool started was the year after I joined the Marine Corps. My buddies used to send me the Barstool print in care packages when I was in Iraq. I wish I could remember the first issue I got. When I got out of the Corps, I remembered seeing Barstool papers all over Boston. It's great to see how far they've gone. Also, I work in the Boston area. After the marathon bombing, Portnoy stepped up and did a lot for our communities and those affected. He's also done so much for small businesses during this pandemic, but his critics still try to throw shade at him. Portnoy is a true American and I'm happy to say he's also a Bostonian. Thanks El Pres for your brand, and all that you've given people.. Viva La Barstool!" 

The comment of someone who bravely served our country expressing his support for Barstool and the impact Barstool made for him while he was bravely serving our country in Iraq as a U.S. Marine.

"What does the future look like? Not just for Barstool but for you?" Shapiro asks Portnoy.

"I think one of the things that makes Barstool Barstool is we won't be set in our ways and we'll adapt quick. And, for me personally, I'm super focused on getting Barstool and the gambling thing going and just continuing to find talent and make Barstool relevant."

"I think the biggest compliment someone gave Barstool is that we've been cutting-edge, cool and relevant for almost two decades. There aren't too many brands who can maintain that vibe but we have for two decades." Portnoy shared with Shapiro.

As far as another two decades of cutting-edge innovation and content from Portnoy and Barstool Sports? I definitely wouldn't bet against them. 

"I know our character and our intent has always been to make people laugh, period."