Antisemitic Incident
Dave Portnoy, the outspoken founder of Barstool Sports, made headlines once again this week—but not for his usual viral reviews or unfiltered sports commentary. This time, it was his swift and serious response to a deeply disturbing antisemitic incident that occurred at a Barstool-branded bar in Philadelphia.
A video surfaced over the weekend showing a group of bottle-service waitresses at Barstool Sansom Street bar parading a glowing sign that read “F— the Jews.” The footage quickly went viral, sparking outrage across social media and drawing condemnation from advocacy groups, including StopAntisemitism.org.
Portnoy, who is Jewish himself, took to social media on Sunday to express his anger and disgust. “I’ve never been more mad or more embarrassed,” he said in a post. “Seeing that video had me shaking. It is completely vile and unacceptable.” The entrepreneur emphasized that the act does not reflect the values of Barstool Sports or the wider Barstool community.
In the immediate aftermath, Portnoy promised accountability. Two employees involved in the incident were swiftly terminated, and Temple University announced the suspension of a student allegedly connected to the group. Barstool Sports confirmed it was cooperating with authorities and reviewing the bar’s internal protocols.
However, Portnoy soon pivoted from retribution to education. After consulting with community leaders—including Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who heads an initiative to combat antisemitism—Portnoy announced he would be sending the individuals responsible for the act on an educational trip to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum in Poland.
“I want them to understand the weight of what they did,” Portnoy said. “I could ruin them—and almost did. But instead, I want this to be a turning point. If they can learn and help others understand why that kind of hate can never be joked about, then maybe some good can come from something this awful.”
The move has drawn both praise and criticism online, but many acknowledge Portnoy’s choice to take a constructive approach as a sign of growth and leadership.
Known for his controversial takes and larger-than-life persona, Portnoy has never shied away from the public eye. Since founding Barstool Sports in 2003, he’s built a media empire that thrives on internet culture, unfiltered opinions, and die-hard fans. Despite past controversies, this latest moment shows a different side of “El Presidente”—one willing to confront bigotry head-on, and to use his influence not just to entertain, but to educate.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Dave Portnoy is not brushing this incident aside. And in doing so, he may have set a new precedent for how influencers and business leaders respond to hate.
