One of Barstool’s most pressing questions has finally been answered. According to the company’s CEO, Dave Portnoy, Will Compton and Taylor Lewan are leaving Barstool Sports and taking their podcast Bussin’ With the Boys with them. Portnoy confirmed the news on the Friday, Jan. 17 edition of The Unnamed Show.
“I made what I would say was my most aggressive move to keep them,” Portnoy said. “There’s always more value for a company taking talent than already here. They got an offer that was so big, it’s like I can’t…Will wants to stay, Taylor wants to stay, but it’s a compliment to Barstool — these people just pillage us. They can’t build people up, they can’t make stars.”
While there’s been no word yet as to where exactly Compton and Lewan are headed, there may be signs. Portnoy dropped Underdog as a potential destination, home to former Barstool talents Jarred Carrabis, Coley Mick, and Tyler “Trill Whithers” Johnson. He also said that while he was willing to re-sign Compton and Lewan at a likely loss to the company, gambling companies are losing “millions and millions of dollars, and they don’t care. We can’t do that.”
Portnoy was visibly hurt by the loss but is proud of Compton, Lewan, and Barstool Sports in general. “I actually think it speaks to when we try to get new people, the people here are doing great, but look at the people who have left — they got monster deals. The Barstool Effect works, it’s what we tell people when they come in, there’s no way I could ever begrudge them. I would take their deal too if I was in their shoes.”
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
