Rethinking Barstool?

Patriot_Reign

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I don't think he's capable, but RG could turn this whole thing around and be a good sport. Wear one of the clown shirts. Engage in some back and forth. Problem is, I don't think Portnoy is capable of dialing it back just a little bit so RG will play along. And really, I don't think RG has it in him to actually play along. They did ban barstool from all NFL things during Super Bowl week.. And had Portnoy kicked out of the Rams one. We'll see.

$250K is $250K and they'll have to do something. I think RedOctober is right and they'll just match the donation so they can save face.
It's remarkable how powerful ego is. You're totally correct in that if Goodell just walked into the room with the blue clown shirt on, smiled and said "Hi Dave, nice to meet you" all of Dave's power would be removed. People would smile, have a little laugh and that'd be the end of it. Instead, the NFL will probably go thru some high level mental gymnastics trying to make this disappear, which won't work at all.
 

jmm57

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I don't think he's capable, but RG could turn this whole thing around and be a good sport. Wear one of the clown shirts. Engage in some back and forth. Problem is, I don't think Portnoy is capable of dialing it back just a little bit so RG will play along. And really, I don't think RG has it in him to actually play along. They did ban barstool from all NFL things during Super Bowl week.. And had Portnoy kicked out of the Rams one. We'll see.

$250K is $250K and they'll have to do something. I think RedOctober is right and they'll just match the donation so they can save face.
Even if the NFL matches Portnoy’s 250k (which they could do no problem, obviously), they are still leaving his money on the table.
 

bankshot1

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Goodell is not going to cancel this, or reneg. He'd get killed as a humorless dick, and righly so.

Just welcome Portnoy into his home, be gracious, and thank Portnoy for his help and watch the game.

If Goodell wore the clown shirt he'd win the PR war.
 

joe dokes

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Yeah, I think the dealbreaker problem is that Portnoy is a gigantic asshole who will try to make the meeting with Goodell a spectacle as an end in itself. Any attempt at compromise/playing along by RG can’t be accepted by DP because his entire RG bit will be predicated on creating the perception he is a Goodell antagonist/troll. If RG is in on the joke the bit falls apart.
Which I why I think there's at least a 37% chance that the winning notification isn't real.
 

Kliq

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The thing is, the only people who would truly care that Portnoy was shut out by RG/The NFL are the stoolies, and those people already hate Goodell so he isn't really taking that much of a hit there. I agree that RG could just wear the shirt, chuckle his way as Portnoy made jokes about it and be done with it. I have little patience for Portnoy, who I don't find very funny at all and his legion of fans are mostly stupid man-children that represent the worst aspects of sports fandom in many ways, even if I occasionally agree with them. I'd much rather see Goodell spend the evening with someone like @BaseballJones reading Goodell notes from his Deflategate dissertation than Portnoy.
 

johnmd20

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The thing is, the only people who would truly care that Portnoy was shut out by RG/The NFL are the stoolies, and those people already hate Goodell so he isn't really taking that much of a hit there. I agree that RG could just wear the shirt, chuckle his way as Portnoy made jokes about it and be done with it. I have little patience for Portnoy, who I don't find very funny at all and his legion of fans are mostly stupid man-children that represent the worst aspects of sports fandom in many ways, even if I occasionally agree with them. I'd much rather see Goodell spend the evening with someone like @BaseballJones reading Goodell notes from his Deflategate dissertation than Portnoy.
Portnoy sucks, it's a travesty he's become this rich and this famous.

That said, Barstool has a number of phenomenal podcasts.(PMT and Lights Camera Barstool in particular are ones I never miss) I am an avid listener. But I consume nothing of Portnoy and I hope he somehow fucks this situation up and it makes him look like as much of an asshole as he is.

In an Asshole Off, Goodell v. Portnoy is a pretty good battle. There are no winners here.
 

PseuFighter

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I've been of the feeling for a long time that a lot of Portnoy is an act (for better or for worse, but I find a lot of it entertaining, and think it's a good small guy becomes rich story). There's pretty good content to be made here for both sides, and I think both wind up being pretty civil and play along. Barstool recently did a post-draft streaming event with Budweiser, hosted by Big Cat, which seemed fairly official. I think there's a real possible partnership thing here when it's said and done, including giving Barstool, a very different company now, more access to NFL events. In the end, I predict Barstool nets at least $250k back long-term over this. It's already getting free buzz.
 

Rusty13

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I've been of the feeling for a long time that a lot of Portnoy is an act (for better or for worse, but I find a lot of it entertaining, and think it's a good small guy becomes rich story). There's pretty good content to be made here for both sides, and I think both wind up being pretty civil and play along. Barstool recently did a post-draft streaming event with Budweiser, hosted by Big Cat, which seemed fairly official. I think there's a real possible partnership thing here when it's said and done, including giving Barstool, a very different company now, more access to NFL events. In the end, I predict Barstool nets at least $250k back long-term over this. It's already getting free buzz.
I think that's where this will eventually be going. It really is a win-win for both sides.
 

NDame616

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Goodell probably could've gotten out of this before it if he wanted. He could've had a friend drop 275K last minute or fixed the bidding. He will make Portnoy sign a NDA and refuse to let him bring any cameras or phones in with him. If Portnoy backs out then so be it
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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Oh look Portnoy's an asshole. Quelle surprise.

Look, act or no, if you act like an asshole long enough, you're a fucking asshole. I don't' think Portnoy has it in him to pull off this meeting with Goodell in any other way besides "huge asshole." RG is a huge asshole as well so I expect mutual matter/antimatter annihilation when it happens. Here's to hoping.
 

Average Reds

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johnmd20

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I know that he was not the interviewer, but eight weeks ago people were praising Barstool for interviewing Fauci.

The fact that Portnoy has been successful doesn’t change his fundamental character. He’s a scum bag. Always has been. Always will be.
Well, it was PMT (Big Cat and PFT) who interviewed Fauci. And they are a fantastic duo who make what is quite possibly the best multi week podcast in existence.

Portnoy is a piece of shit and he's always been a piece of shit and he always will be a piece of shit. Big Cat and PFT do not appear in any way to be pieces of shit, but obviously they work closely with Portnoy. Of course, many people work with people who are awful and sometimes don't have a choice.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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We've been round and round on this, but of course Big Cat and PFT have a choice. It's not an EASY choice since so much of their brand name is intertwined with Portnoy and Big Ct at least has equity in the company, but they do have choices. So far they've chosen to do their thing under the Barstool umbrella. That's their choice and any consequences from doing so are their responsibility. So far they've managed to avoid any collateral damage from Portnoy's typical actions, but that might not be the case forever.
 

joe dokes

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We've been round and round on this, but of course Big Cat and PFT have a choice. It's not an EASY choice since so much of their brand name is intertwined with Portnoy and Big Ct at least has equity in the company, but they do have choices. So far they've chosen to do their thing under the Barstool umbrella. That's their choice and any consequences from doing so are their responsibility. So far they've managed to avoid any collateral damage from Portnoy's typical actions, but that might not be the case forever.
And now they're hitched to a guy whose opinion could lead to people his sycophantic followers spreading a deadly disease (other than STDs).
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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We've been round and round on this, but of course Big Cat and PFT have a choice. It's not an EASY choice since so much of their brand name is intertwined with Portnoy and Big Ct at least has equity in the company, but they do have choices. So far they've chosen to do their thing under the Barstool umbrella. That's their choice and any consequences from doing so are their responsibility. So far they've managed to avoid any collateral damage from Portnoy's typical actions, but that might not be the case forever.
“It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.” - Upton Sinclair
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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“It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.” - Upton Sinclair
Very true indeed.

Here's a question for you guys who know more about this stuff than I do: is your feeling that the audience that listens to Pardon My Take the same group that cheers on/egg on/worships Portnoy in his shithousery? Cat and PFT seem to have a very different approach than Portnoy, and ordinary I'd think that if they chose to go their own way they'd be successful, but if their audience is the same one that worships Portnoy, then maybe they're reluctant to do so because they'd be crushed by the blowback.

Just thinking aloud here.
 

kelpapa

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Stoolies listen to pmt. People that listen to pmt aren't necessarily stoolies.

That's my take on it.
 

JCizzle

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I think they could probably go their own way and be fine, but I'm not sure it's worth the risk. Barstool lets them do whatever they want, which likely isn't something they'd benefit from in a new company. Most people in the industry seem able to differentiate between what they do and what Portnoy does, so I just don't see much incentive for that type of move. The people (in a broader sense, not on this website) that hate on someone likable like Big Cat today would probably keep on hating if he was at the Ringer with the evil Bill Simmons.

Re: Portnoy, I don't even know what to make of his shit anymore. I thought the Goodell thing was legitimately funny, but then he immediately launches into this stupidity. It never seems to hurt him somehow.
 

kenneycb

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He's a troll. Doesn't matter what they're talking about, so long as they're talking. He's built up a loyal fanbase that will support him no matter what he says and he uses that to his advantage.
 

jezza1918

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Stoolies listen to pmt. People that listen to pmt aren't necessarily stoolies.

That's my take on it.
I listen to Pardon My Take pretty religiously while I deal with levels of jewish guilt my bubby would be proud of for supporting Portnoy. In the same conversation with literally my best friend I lauded PMT while getting angry with him for loving all things Barstool and their toxic male culture. I think I'll go sit in the sun and have an IPA now...
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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I think they could probably go their own way and be fine, but I'm not sure it's worth the risk. Barstool lets them do whatever they want, which likely isn't something they'd benefit from in a new company. Most people in the industry seem able to differentiate between what they do and what Portnoy does, so I just don't see much incentive for that type of move. The people (in a broader sense, not on this website) that hate on someone likable like Big Cat today would probably keep on hating if he was at the Ringer with the evil Bill Simmons.
If they're as popular as they seem to be, they should have no problem striking out on their own...no need to go to another company. If they can find someone to handle ad sales (I assume Barstool has a whole sales dept) and someone to produce the show (again, I assume Barstool has in-house producers), they could be up and running in no time. If they went the Patreon route, they might even be able to bypass needing a sales person.

If I were them, I'd at least have some sort of plan in place as a back-up in case they need to sever ties with Barstool in order to avoid being stained by something Portnoy does.
 

nattysez

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This has been said in this thread before, and everything I've seen since bears it out: Big Cat is very loyal to Portnoy because Big Cat feels like Portnoy gave him the opportunity that's led to everything he has now (including significant $). I think Big Cat is a soft and possibly not very savvy guy who really believes in loyalty (someone has to teach him the old saying "it's not show friends, it's show business"). PFT thinks he does his best work with Big Cat and while he doesn't love Portnoy, he's not willing to leave Barstool without Big Cat, who'll never leave. PFT is also kind of an oddball personality -- I'm not sure there are a lot of other platforms that would let him fly his freak flag the way Barstool does.

I'm also not sure either of those guys is prepared to do the work that Simmons or others have done in order to hang out their own shingle. I don't get the sense that being leaders of men interests them.

In any event, this is all moot since I assume Big Cat's contract has a significant equity package with retention bonuses/requirements, so he'd have to get blown away monetarily for it to make any sense to leave (unless Penn Gambling's stock tanks).

Also, I expect these guys justify staying at Barstool because it's arguably no better ethically to go to ESPN, which bends over for the NFL every chance it gets and is offensively non-political, or Fox Sports, which employs Cowherd, Bayless, Clay Travis and other ne'er-do-wells who've said things just as offensive as Portnoy. And I can't imagine anyone else can pay as well as those two could.
 

kenneycb

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Big Cat’s net worth was and still is significantly tied to Barstool in equity. It’s likely that simple. Loyalty and everything are great but CREAM.
 

jcd0805

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This has been said in this thread before, and everything I've seen since bears it out: Big Cat is very loyal to Portnoy because Big Cat feels like Portnoy gave him the opportunity that's led to everything he has now (including significant $). I think Big Cat is a soft and possibly not very savvy guy who really believes in loyalty (someone has to teach him the old saying "it's not show friends, it's show business").
Wtf? Big Cat is soft and not savvy, yet he basically willed himself into being an employee of Arod Corp and flies around in Alex’s private jet to interview people for their joint podcast that came to be solely from his tenacity? Who has major college programs tweeting “welcome” to his fictional coach Duggs? Who will probably end up with a tv show featuring his electronic horse races in his Cat Cave??? Big Cat is the sharpest tool in that shed, in most sheds probably. He has said many many times he thinks Dave is one of the funniest people around, why is it hard to understand he probably just likes the guy even if he may not agree with him all the time?? FWIW Portnoy has been on the “wear masks outside” bandwagon for awhile.
 

nattysez

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Wtf? Big Cat is soft and not savvy, yet he basically willed himself into being an employee of Arod Corp and flies around in Alex’s private jet to interview people for their joint podcast that came to be solely from his tenacity? Who has major college programs tweeting “welcome” to his fictional coach Duggs? Who will probably end up with a tv show featuring his electronic horse races in his Cat Cave??? Big Cat is the sharpest tool in that shed, in most sheds probably. He has said many many times he thinks Dave is one of the funniest people around, why is it hard to understand he probably just likes the guy even if he may not agree with him all the time?? FWIW Portnoy has been on the “wear masks outside” bandwagon for awhile.
These are fair points and I'm sorry I insulted your son, Mrs. Katz.
 

CantKeepmedown

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He's arguably the biggest commodity that they have (outside of Portnoy). "Middle man Dan" as the stoolies refer to him, is able to bring people in that I think would have no interest in doing Barstool stuff. I think some of the other media members, movie stars, and professional athletes would not accept an invite to go on the radio show with Portnoy or do other related Barstool stuff. But they'll go on PMT. I think a lot of people are able to see the difference.
 

johnmd20

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He's arguably the biggest commodity that they have (outside of Portnoy). "Middle man Dan" as the stoolies refer to him, is able to bring people in that I think would have no interest in doing Barstool stuff. I think some of the other media members, movie stars, and professional athletes would not accept an invite to go on the radio show with Portnoy or do other related Barstool stuff. But they'll go on PMT. I think a lot of people are able to see the difference.
Definitely. Because they ALL go on PMT. I don't know if anyone gets guests as varied and popular as the PMT Podcast. Even celebrity podcasts don't get huge names as consistently as they do.
 

NickEsasky

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Definitely. Because they ALL go on PMT. I don't know if anyone gets guests as varied and popular as the PMT Podcast. Even celebrity podcasts don't get huge names as consistently as they do.
My exposure to Barstool podcasts is limited to just a few, but any entertainment guests who roll through PMT usually end up on KFC Radio too.
 

HomeRunBaker

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No matter your feeling on Portnoy. If you are a fan of good pizza, you must download his OneBite app. We have hit up 6-7 of the best places on road trips and the top score joints do not disappoint.
 

blueline

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No matter your feeling on Big Cat, you must admit he is garbage at NCAA Football. 6 ints in the first 3 quarters last night.
 

cshea

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No matter your feeling on Big Cat, you must admit he is garbage at NCAA Football. 6 ints in the first 3 quarters last night.
He threw a 7th in the 4th quarter. I find myself watching his gaming streams, they are fun and entertaining. Him sucking adds to the fun.
 

kelpapa

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PFT commented on the Fauci stuff on Twitter.
PFTCommenter

@PFTCommenter

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6h

Yea this is gona sound weird but it’s almost like different people from within the same company can disagree on some things and still work at the same place. kind of like I’m sure you’re not on board with Vice laundering the reputation of the Saudi royal family? Hope this helps
 

Lose Remerswaal

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No, you don't like great pizza or No, you don't trust his reviews?
I like great pizza but I'm not going to buy it from a place with a political sign outside that I disagree strongly with. Similarly I won't download someone who I disagree with's app that provides him with revenue or at least numbers supporting him or his product. Just like there are hotels in NYC with a certain name on them I'll never stay in, etc, etc.
 

HomeRunBaker

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I like great pizza but I'm not going to buy it from a place with a political sign outside that I disagree strongly with. Similarly I won't download someone who I disagree with's app that provides him with revenue or at least numbers supporting him or his product. Just like there are hotels in NYC with a certain name on them I'll never stay in, etc, etc.
Fair enough. I tend to agree with you if there is a political sign advertising their beliefs......I wouldn't enter that establishment. To me, utilizing this app for my benefit (which for us is both useful and enjoyable on road trips) is a stretch in feeling that we are supporting a movement but I can see your side.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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Fair enough. I tend to agree with you if there is a political sign advertising their beliefs......I wouldn't enter that establishment. To me, utilizing this app for my benefit (which for us is both useful and enjoyable on road trips) is a stretch in feeling that we are supporting a movement but I can see your side.
Not to speak for him, but how is it a stretch? Is what he broadcasts not as effective as a sign or you're weighing your enjoyment of his podcast more than you would a slice of pizza? Because really - either way - you know what they stand for (sign vs. speech) and you support their success (buying a slice vs. contributing to numbers for sponsorships).
 

richgedman'sghost

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I like great pizza but I'm not going to buy it from a place with a political sign outside that I disagree strongly with. Similarly I won't download someone who I disagree with's app that provides him with revenue or at least numbers supporting him or his product. Just like there are hotels in NYC with a certain name on them I'll never stay in, etc, etc.
You don't like Hyatt's?
 

HomeRunBaker

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Not to speak for him, but how is it a stretch? Is what he broadcasts not as effective as a sign or you're weighing your enjoyment of his podcast more than you would a slice of pizza? Because really - either way - you know what they stand for (sign vs. speech) and you support their success (buying a slice vs. contributing to numbers for sponsorships).
It’s a 3rd party app that we use. This would be implying that every pizza joint he reviews shares his beliefs which isn’t likely to be the case. We want access to the best pizza on our road trips and the 3rd party app provides us with this information.

Is clicking an app 3-4x a year any more support than watching an NFL game which allows those guilty of domestic violence play which financially supporting them?