What does the future hold for Dave Portnoy at Barstool Sports? He told Kirk Minihane earlier this year that it is as uncertain as it has ever been. Erika Ayers told The New York Post that she has no reason not to believe him.
“Dave was pretty honest in his conversation with Kirk,” she told Ryan Glasspiegel. “He’s an enormous talent. He built something extraordinary. I want him to be so happy. I would work with him for the rest of my life. I think he’s incredible.”
Portnoy publicly chided Penn Entertainment following the company’s decision to part ways with Ben Mintz. He has gone on multiple platforms to say that he did not think Mintz accidentally saying a racial slur on video while reading rap lyrics was a fireable offense, because it was clear to anyone that saw the video, that Mintz meant no harm and was immediately horrified by what had happened. He even cited the incident days later when Penn’s stock price dropped.
Dave Portnoy has since clarified his position. While he disagrees with Penn Entertainment’s decision, he is still happy to be working with the company and trusts the direction it has for Barstool.
Ayers says she appreciates Portnoy’s entrepreneurial spirit. She adds that makes it hard for her to figure out exactly what he will do next.
“Maybe he stays and does this. Maybe he doesn’t do anything. Maybe he goes on a beach. Maybe he does something else.”
The current contract between Barstool and Portnoy ends in 2025. While he has publicly said that he isn’t sure if the company wants to sign a new deal with him, Ayers says that Portnoy may have a little more say in the matter than he lets on.
“I think he’s got a little bit of time and is just kind of thinking through what that could look like,” she told Glasspiegel.
