Tag: Dave Portnoy

Dave Portnoy reveals how he partnered with Larry and Jolin Ellison to land Bryce Underwood

LEGENDS! #GoBlue

Not many believed that Michigan football stood much of a chance in flipping 2025 Belleville (Mich.) five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood from LSU, but the Wolverines put a coalition together, and on Thursday last week, it paid off.

After the initial reports, many Wolverines fans praised Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy for securing the No. 1 recruit in the country for the maize and blue due to his outspoken desire to handle the NIL for a transfer quarterback, but that doesn’t speak to what actually happened.

As Portnoy tells it, he was in communication with Michigan about his offer to pay up to $3 million per year for a transfer, and they connected him with Oracle founder Larry Ellison — currently the second-richest person in the world — and his wife Jolin, a graduate from UM Ann Arbor who, after just half a season of mediocrity this year, didn’t want to go back to the moribund years pre-Jim Harbaugh’s arrival. So they hatched a plan, got Underwood on a videoconferencing call, and went to work.

The Ellisons don’t appear to be singular benefactors as Michigan looks to surround Underwood with more talent, both in his recruiting class as well as via the transfer portal. They operated under the radar until Underwood’s commitment, but now, certainly, the couple will be considered heroes in Ann Arbor.

Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy tells Michigan football fans ‘I’m working on it’

👀 #GoBlue

Barstool Sports founder and ‘El Presidente’ Dave Portnoy made headlines a few weeks ago when he announced that he would spend around $3 million in name, image, and likeness money to lure a top-tier quarterback to his alma mater, the University of Michigan.

In the aftermath, there have been rumors swirling about 2025 Belleville (Mich.) five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood — the top player in the nation — who is currently committed to LSU. While it’s not clear whether or not Portnoy is working on flipping Underwood to Ann Arbor, given that the transfer portal isn’t open and there aren’t any top-tier quarterbacks available there yet, anyhow, fans have been speculating.

Well, add some fuel to the fire, because after Michigan football’s 21-7 loss to Illinois on Saturday, Portnoy assured the maize and blue faithful that he’s not sitting by idly just letting the Wolverines lose the way they have been of late.

That’ll get some fans’ blood moving.

Sure, we don’t know what he’s exactly working on — it could just be a promise that, hey, he’ll bring in a top quarterback once the portal opens. It could mean he’s communicating with Underwood — but that doesn’t necessarily mean there will be instant results. After all, he’s still in high school.

But given how this 2024 season has gone of late, any hope for Michigan fans is certainly welcome.

Dave Portnoy says he’s only talking directly to Sherrone Moore about NIL

This situation is so interesting! #GoBlue

Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy perhaps bit off more than he thought when he pledged to pay up to $3 million for a quarterback for his alma mater, the University of Michigan.

And much like how Portnoy prefers to operate, he’s going to do things his way.

Portnoy doesn’t want to deal with any collectives and he wants to essentially get in and get out — finding the Wolverines the best transfer (or recruit) and let Michigan football handle it. But he doesn’t want it to be a whole thing with multiple parties involved.

“My problem with the NIL, besides it’s a lot of money just to kind of throw out the window, but I’m willing to, like do it,” Dave Portnoy said. “I do not want to talk to other people. I don’t want to — I am not trying to get in the middle of the NIL, I do not want people I don’t know calling me, I don’t want to talk to this guy. I don’t want emails from that guy. I don’t want any of that. I don’t want any of that.”

And with that in mind, Portnoy won’t be fielding any calls from Champions Circle or State and Main or any of the other collectives. He says that he will only cooperate with head coach Sherrone Moore and only on this.

“I had Daniella, my assistant, ‘Someone at Michigan wants —,’ no. I don’t want to talk to any of you,” Portnoy said. “I talked to Sherrone. I talked to him. I have his number, we talked. He told me the one guy I got to talk to. One guy to talk to, I’ve not talked to that person. I will, and then we’ll see.”

The news of his pledge certainly rocked the internet. And though many ask what does that mean about Michigan’s current quarterback situation, like with any other school that plays NIL, that bridge can be crossed when Portnoy and the Wolverines arrive there.

Dave Portnoy pledges to spend $3M annually on a Michigan football QB via transfer portal

This could be a game changer. #GoBlue

Michigan football has fallen behind and struggled to play the name, image and likeness game similar to other programs around the conference and around the country. But one luminary in the sports world hopes to change that.

He may be something of a firebrand but Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy wears his love for all things maize and blue on his sleeve. And Portnoy made a promise that will certainly make Michigan fans happy — should the program accept his offer.

Portnoy posted on social media on Thursday that he will pledge $3 million annually to a top-flight quarterback to come to Ann Arbor and play for the Wolverines — something we see other schools doing but Michigan languishing behind in comparison.

https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1839297936427200771

While Portnoy wouldn’t necessarily need Michigan participation in this endeavor, Michigan would have to accept a transfer, no matter who it is — both through the coaches’ willingness as well as through admissions. It could also open things up if Portnoy was willing to pay for NIL for recruits. For instance, five-star QB Bryce Underwood hails from neighboring Belleville, yet he’s chosen to play his college ball at LSU, clear across the country.

Barstool founder Dave Portnoy roasted for asinine Brittany Mahomes take on Twitter

Barstool founder Dave Portnoy was roundly roasted on Twitter for his asinine take on Brittany Mahomes.

Barstool founder Dave Portnoy has never shied away from controversy, and his most recent outburst on Twitter had Kansas City Chiefs fans up in arms.

After Patrick and Brittany Mahomes showed off a loungewear line by “SKIMS,” Portnoy took his opportunity to become part of the dialogue, calling the reigning MVP’s wife “trash.”

The subtext of Portnoy’s comment is of little importance. His unnecessary tweet was seized upon by Chiefs fans and other users of the beleaguered social media site alike as they lashed out at “El Presidente” for his unkind words toward one of the NFL’s most beloved football families.

Some of the responses to Portnoy’s post were made in anger, while others were just happy to dogpile on the polarizing media figure.

One thing is certain, though: Kansas City’s fans weren’t about to let the Barstool founder get away with speaking ill of the Mahomes family online.

Check out some of their best reactions below:

One mortal lock, everybody knows the rules: Dave Portnoy makes his Northwestern at Rutgers pick

Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy is picking Rutgers football to win on Sunday.

The last time Dave Portnoy picked Rutgers in a season opener, it worked out pretty well for him. For Sunday’s season opener against Big Ten rival Northwestern, Portnoy picked Rutgers.

Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports and the best reviewer of pizza (and watermelon), has been complimentary of Rutgers in the past. This includes last fall where he praised Rutgers and the Big Ten program’s facilities.

Portnoy was asked for his “mortal lock” college football pick of the week by Dan Katz, better known as ‘Big Cat’ by Stoolies. Portnoy was locked-in on his pick.

“I’m going to go with Rutgers, Rutgers -6.5. Sometimes, don’t think just throw. To me, I don’t know what the actual talent level differential is on the field,” Portnoy said.

“But you have one program, Schiano, who has bought in and they’re going to be ready to roll versus another program that is destroyed. So I’m going to go with Rutgers. Only -6.5 and maybe win by 40.”

Northwestern has had a tumultuous offseason, including the firing of head coach Pat Fitzgerald amidst allegations of hazing within the program. Replacing Fitzgerald is David Braun, who serves as the interim head coach of Northwestern.

The line from Prtnoy of Rutgers winning by 40 points is certainly an exaggeration. In 2021, Rutgers lost 21-7 at Northwestern in the last meeting between these two Big Ten programs.

Despite their 1-11 record last year, Northwestern is still a strong team. Last year, after beating Nebraska in Ireland, the Wildcats lost their next three games by a combined 18 points. Five of their losses were by eight or fewer points.

Rutgers is trending towards a sell-out for the game.

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Taylor Lewan, Dave Portnoy enter Oilers-Titans-Texans debate

Former Titans LT Taylor Lewan wasn’t having it when Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy said Houston should have the Oilers.

After it was revealed the Tennessee Titans were going to wear their Houston Oilers throwbacks for a home game in 2023, it re-ignited a debate that really shouldn’t even be one in the first place.

Many Texans fans out there believe their team should have the rights to the Oilers because of their location, even though the Texans were NEVER the Oilers at any point in history.

In fact, the Titans were even the Oilers for two years after moving to Tennessee.

Still, that doesn’t stop the takes like the one Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy put out recently. However, the Titans have a big voice backing them up, with former left tackle Taylor Lewan swooping in to shoot down the take.

This is something people just need to let go of.

Not only were the Titans the Oilers, but founder Bud Adams’ daughter, Amy Adams Strunk, still owns the franchise and cares deeply about its Houston roots, so she isn’t letting go of the Oilers.

If that isn’t enough, even Oilers greats like Warren Moon and Robert Brazile see the Titans as the link to their past, not the Texans.

“I’d have to say here, I’d have to say Nashville, Tennessee,” Moon said of where the Oilers’ history lies. “That’s where our legacy went.”

“Bud (Adams) and his wife, they raised good children,” Brazile said. “Amy is a mother. When a mother reaches out to take care of her children, I feel like I’m a part of her family. She reached out for us and reached out to us to warm us to another new home. So, we may be Oilers, but I think we’re going to all die Titans.”

Enough said.

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Dave Portnoy suggests Ravens cheated, points out ‘shady character’ at Patriots game

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy suggests the Ravens cheated against the Patriots

Sunday’s game between the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens didn’t come without its fair share of drama.

There was the spectacle of the game itself, which was full of highlight-worthy plays on both sides of the ball. Then there was the gut-wrenching sight of Patriots quarterback Mac Jones going down with an ankle injury. Now, there’s a suggested cheating accusation by Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy.

On Twitter, Portnoy posted a video of a Ravens staff member, who he called a “very shady character.”

“I don’t know who this guy is, who’s putting the earpiece in, sloppily dressed on the Ravens sideline,” said Portnoy. “Like what are you doing? Why do you have an earpiece? Who are you? I got a feeling this guy’s cheating in some capacity—very, very shady character.”

For the most part, Portnoy’s comments have been brushed off as nothing more than a meaningless diatribe from a bitter Boston sports fan. But at the very least, it did stir up some interesting conversation, following the Patriots’ 37-26 loss to the Ravens.

Here’s what people are saying.

 

Left-handed Brooks Koepka, Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy set date for $250,000 charity match

It’s all going down in September.

Are you a fan of either Barstool Sports or Brooks Koepka? If the answer is yes to one or both, you may want to mark your calendars for Sept. 7.

The four-time major champion will play left-handed against Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy in a charity match for $250,000 after the two traded some trash talk on Twitter back in April. Koepka is playing for his charity foundation while Portnoy will play for the Barstool Fund.

Koepka will have Pardon My Take hosts Big Cat and PFT Commenter on the bag, while Portnoy will have Frankie Borelli, a member of Barstool’s Fore Play podcast, as his caddie.

In case you might have forgotten, Koepka has some serious game from the other side of the ball.

You might not see the best golf shots, especially from Portnoy, but the banter between the two is bound to be entertaining.

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Brooks Koepka to play left-handed vs. Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy in charity match for $250,000

Brooks Koepka will play left-handed against Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy for $250,000 for charity.

What started with a little trash talk on Twitter has turned into a $250,000 charity golf match.

Four-time major champion Brooks Koepka will tee it up against Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy after the two traded some friendly banter back and forth on Thursday evening. Koepka, who will play left-handed, is playing for his charity foundation, while Portnoy will play for the Barstool Fund.

The time and date are to be determined, but we do know that Koepka will have Pardon My Take hosts Big Cat and PFT Commenter on the bag, while Portnoy will have Frankie Borelli, a member of the Fore Play podcast, as his caddie.

While you might think advantage El Pres, you might want to think again. Koepka has some serious game from the other side of the ball.

Koepka missed the cut earlier this month at the Masters, his first start after six weeks off due to neck and knee injuries. The eight-time PGA Tour winner had surgery March 16 that reattached a ligament and cleaned up damage caused by a dislocated kneecap in his right knee.

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