Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, criticized the local ABC affiliate in Philadelphia on Monday during an interview that revolved around an anti-Semitism incident at one of his company’s bars. In a video shared on his X account, Portnoy claimed that the station “pleaded” for an interview, and he was surprised when a new reporter showed up instead of the one he had agreed to meet.
Interestingly, he didn’t reveal the reporter’s name. The new journalist supposedly asked all the pertinent questions regarding the incident and referenced a professor’s statement, which suggested that Barstool Sports fosters a hostile environment.
Portnoy reacted strongly, saying, “I’ve never heard anyone suggest I’m responsible for this happening in my bar. A few professors don’t like barstools? Who cares what they say?” He added that while he and some colleagues were in Scottsdale, Arizona, for the Barstool Sportsbet Gala, they were capturing interviews when the topic came up. He shared a clip where he criticized a university for allowing Jewish students to be “harassed on campus all the time,” mentioning it as a source of a toxic atmosphere, which stirred up some controversy.
Portnoy questioned the narrative being pushed, asking, “Who’s really spreading hate right now? Is it Barstool Sports and white men on college campuses?” This led him to cut the interview short. He expressed his frustration with the station, stating, “F— ABC! It’s absurd! What’s with all this hatred for me as a ‘Journalist’?”
Moreover, the bars in Centre City have drawn attention after a video shown at the venue displayed a message that included “F-Jews,” alongside inappropriate remarks made by a bottle service girl. Philadelphia police have confirmed that they are investigating the situation.
