Dave Portnoy, the outspoken founder of Barstool Sports, has launched a furious rebuttal against fans and critics who have accused him of 'selling out' following a landmark partnership with Netflix.
The Backlash Over a Blockbuster Streaming Deal
The controversy erupted on Wednesday after Portnoy's company confirmed a significant agreement. Starting in early 2026, the video versions of three of Barstool's most popular podcasts – 'Pardon My Take', 'The Ryen Russillo Show', and 'Spittin' Chiclets' – will become exclusive to Netflix. While audio will remain available on other platforms, this move marks a major strategic shift, placing Barstool firmly within the escalating streaming war between Netflix and YouTube for control of the video podcast industry.
Almost immediately, a segment of Barstool's loyal fanbase reacted with anger, claiming the media mogul had betrayed the company's independent roots by aligning with a corporate streaming behemoth.
Portnoy's Fiery Rebuttal from the Beach
Portnoy did not wait long to fire back. The following day, he posted a defiant video message filmed from a sunny beach in the Florida Keys. In the clip, a shirtless Portnoy, holding a beer and lounging in a chair, addressed his critics head-on.
"Listen, I got to say something. I am so sick and tired of people saying I f***ing sold out, Barstool sold out," he stated emphatically. He argued that accusations of selling out have dogged the company for a decade and dismissed them as ludicrous.
In a pointedly ironic gesture to his lavish surroundings, he quipped, "You will know I'm sold out when I'm sitting on my own private beach in one of my mansions down in Florida Keys... Until f***ing then, I promise you, we're f***ing grinding."
Defending Loyalty and the Business Logic
This fiery video followed a written defence Portnoy posted on X the previous day. He specifically praised the hosts of 'Pardon My Take', Dan 'Big Cat' Katz and PFT Commenter, for their loyalty to Barstool, noting they had turned down huge deals elsewhere to stay.
He framed the Netflix agreement as a smart business move that benefits the entire 'circus' of Barstool Sports. "To complain that we’re getting paid to put PMT video on Netflix which I bet 90% of their audience has is ludicrous," Portnoy wrote. He contrasted this with talent who had left for rival offers, stating, "Selling out would be what lots of our talent has done to the highest bidder. These guys have stayed."
The deal represents a significant expansion of Netflix's live and sports-adjacent content. Lauren Smith, Netflix’s Vice President of Content Licensing, said the partnership "delivers exactly what our members crave: unfiltered commentary, sharp takes, and undeniable humour." This follows Netflix's similar deal with Spotify and its push into live sports broadcasting, including the upcoming Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul boxing match.
For Barstool Sports and Dave Portnoy, the partnership is a lucrative validation of their content's value. However, the vocal backlash highlights the delicate balance media brands must strike between commercial growth and maintaining the authentic, anti-establishment image that often fuels their original success.
