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How Rich Valdes Is Using AI to Take His Show Global on Roku

Krystina Alarcon Carroll
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How Rich Valdes Is Using AI to Take His Show Global on Roku

On Friday, Rich Valdes announced he is joining Raul Acosta’s Festiva TV on Roku, which will utilize AI to translate his content into Spanish for Latin American and Caribbean audiences.

Barrett Media caught up with Valdes to talk about the new initiative and the role AI is playing on his show.

Krystina Carroll: Congratulations on the syndication! Tell me more about this new venture. Your show is going to be AI-dubbed in Spanish? This is blowing my mind. Tell me how this came about.

Rich Valdes: I was helping Curtis Sliwa with his mayoral campaign and got in touch with Raul Acosta (Oro Solido), who was interested in endorsing Curtis Sliwa. We started talking, and he was like, “Yeah, look, I’m a fan of yours. I’ve seen you on TV, and you do great work.” I was like, “Oh, thanks. I had no idea you even knew who I was.”

We hung out one time, then had a meeting, and he said to me, “You know, I have a TV network that is popular in the Caribbean and Latin America that we use to promote our music content. We’ve also just gotten into doing some news — international news from Latin America and the Caribbean — but we don’t have much from a United States perspective. We could really use that type of commentary because of all the changes we’re seeing.” This was before Maduro was arrested, but the writing was on the wall. With the election of Javier Milei and the Bolivian president, there seems to be a shift toward the right in many Latin American countries.

Oro Solido said, “I think conservative commentary would be good,” and he added that they could translate my content through AI.

(A note: Valdes speaks fluent Spanish, but translating the show through AI would avoid him having to do a second show.)

RV: I also wanted to get into more of the streaming television and video-sharing side of the industry with Rumble and YouTube. It’s a different world today than it was even three or four years ago. In the last two and a half years, I can’t remember the last time somebody asked what radio station I’m on. It’s almost always, “Where can I watch your podcast?”

KC: Do you have to pre-record anything for the AI so that when it translates your voice into Spanish, it sounds like you?

RV: Yeah, basically, the way I believe it works — and don’t quote me on this — is that you can do the stream live in English, and then it eventually gets stored in the cloud somewhere. That’s when the AI dubbing takes place. Then the production team moves that file over and puts it up. So I guess somewhere between you watching it and me saying it, this happens. It’s interesting because I do speak Spanish, but I’d be doing a completely different show. We’d need a whole different slate of guests, and not every guest speaks Spanish.

KC: For non-Spanish speakers, does the AI give them a generic, robot-like Spanish voice?

RV: No, it translates everybody’s voice in their own voice, which is pretty cool. That’s the technical stuff I’m not deeply involved in, but I know we’re working on it. Our scheduled release is in February. I haven’t put out a specific date yet because we want to make sure everything works really well. I don’t mind doing a soft launch around the Super Bowl and then continuing to build.

I’ve got a really interesting first guest lined up, and I’m excited about that. As soon as I’m able to say who it is, I will. I’m just waiting on a couple of confirmations. The idea is to make my existing show better, kick it off on video-sharing platforms, and make it much more robust in Spanish — Rich Valdes en Español on Roku.

KC: What can people expect video-wise from this? Not a new show, but this expansion of your show?

RV: It’s totally an expansion. I’m partnering with GMF and Oro Solido’s media company, and the production studio we’re using overlooks Times Square. That’s going to be a really cool addition — doing the show with Times Square as the backdrop and bringing guests into a brand-new location right in the center of New York City.

Radio is king. It’s the love of my life, and it always will be. I adore radio because there’s a skill set involved — respecting the clock, hitting breaks on time, broadcasting live, not talking over guests, and giving the audience the most important information in the time you have. That’s a skill I truly love.

I also love the ability, when there’s no guest, to take 10 or 12 minutes and do a strong monologue or tell a meaningful story. You can do that in streaming, but you don’t always know when people will hear it. On radio, you know they just heard it because you can go straight to the phones and get instant reaction.

I’ve always joked that Twitter is cool, and it doesn’t really matter how many followers you have — radio is better. People are listening in real time, and if they want to tell you how they feel, they’ll call you and tell you. That’s something I’ll always love about radio, and through technology and AI, we’re bringing that functionality into both the podcast and TV versions of the show.

We’ll have prearranged call-in times during production. People can call our 800 number — 877-VALDES-1 — and be part of the video and podcast versions of the show. They can also call 24 hours a day and leave a message if they miss us. Our production team can then incorporate those messages into the show. It really expands access for people who couldn’t call in before.

KC: For your non-Spanish-speaking audience, you’ll still be available on all your iHeart stations and everywhere people normally find you?

RV: Absolutely. We’re still on iHeartRadio every day. The podcast will be on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. None of that has changed. I’m still doing the same show I’ve done since 2018. It’s just more condensed now — typically an hour, sometimes two when warranted. There’s been a shift away from longer shows, not one I personally like, but it’s driven by audience habits.

KC: Is there anything I missed or anything you’d like to add?

RV: I’m thankful for the blessing Christ grants me and excited about this Spanish syndication opportunity.

As media continues to grow, integration is happening organically because people consume so many different types of content. Look at Stephen A. Smith. For decades, he was a staple in sports broadcasting. Then he expanded into cable, podcasts, and eventually commentary beyond sports. He realized he had a platform and something to say.

That’s what’s happening across media. People might listen to rock, oldies, reggaeton, or hip-hop, but they’re also deeply interested in news, politics, culture, and society. Those interests are merging. More people are on TikTok and Instagram, and consumption patterns are evolving.

That’s why I’m excited about partnering with Global Media Federation, owned by Raul Acosta — the lead singer and merengue legend of Oro Solido. I grew up listening to their hit after hit. They’ve expanded beyond music into television, media, and events.

In my conversations with Acosta, we’ve talked about politics in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the broader Caribbean. These geopolitical issues affect everyone. I’ve always covered a wide range of topics — entertainment, mental health, politics, and news — and now more people are interested in that blend.

Teaming up with a media company that has such strong reach into the Hispanic community from an entertainment standpoint is a golden opportunity for me.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Does the Program Director Role Have a Rosy Future in News/Talk Radio?

Garrett Searight
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Does the Program Director Role Have a Rosy Future in News/Talk Radio?

Nearly two years ago to the day, Jason Barrett posed a question that still echoes through my brain, and maybe even news/talk radio hallways. Is being a program director still appealing? It was a fair question then. It might be an even more urgent one now.

The role of a program director has always been demanding. It has never been a 9-to-5 job. It is pressure-packed, highly visible, and often thankless. Yet it remains one of the most influential seats in any radio building.

I believe the answer to Jason’s question is yes. Being a program director is still appealing. At least, it should be. What I’m less certain about is whether everyone in leadership feels the same way.

That doubt creeps in when you look around the industry. Some stations — some of the most prominent, you could argue — no longer have a true programming leader. Others have the title filled, but the authority stripped. In a few cases, the job has quietly disappeared altogether.

That should worry people.

If owners and executives can point to a station and say, “They don’t have a PD, and they haven’t missed a beat,” that’s not a great harbinger. It sends a message. It suggests the position is optional rather than essential.

Radio has always been good at rationalizing change. Sometimes too good. When budgets tighten, roles get blended. When headcount shrinks, responsibilities stack. The program director’s job can start to look like a luxury.

It isn’t.

There is still real value in a good programmer. Not just any programmer. That distinction matters more now than ever.

If all you want from a program director is someone to schedule logs, approve vacations, and make sure there’s sound coming out of the speakers, then no. The future for that version of the job is not especially rosy.

AI can do some of that. Corporate structures can handle the rest. You don’t need a visionary for basic maintenance.

But that’s not what great program directors do.

A strong PD puts together a plan. They align strategy with local reality. And they get a staff pulling in the same direction, even when resources are thin, and morale is tested.

They coach talent. Not just on content, but on preparation, pacing, and purpose. They help hosts become better versions of themselves. That doesn’t happen by accident.

They also understand revenue. Not in a buzzword way, but in a practical one. They see opportunities for sponsorships, events, podcasts, and digital extensions. They know how programming choices impact sales conversations.

Most importantly, they help shape a station’s voice in its city. They understand the audience. They know when to lead a conversation and when to listen. That kind of instinct can’t be pulled from a spreadsheet.

Without that leadership, stations risk drifting. They may sound fine day to day. They may even post decent numbers for a while. But over time, the lack of direction shows.

Culture erodes. Talent stagnates. Innovation slows.

It’s my hope that people across the industry still understand the value a good program director brings to a brand or company. Respect for that role matters. So does empowering it.

Because you often don’t realize how important a programming leader is until you don’t have one. By then, the damage may already be done.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Sid Rosenberg Celebrates 10th Anniversary at 77 WABC

BNM Staff
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Sid Rosenberg Celebrates 10th Anniversary at 77 WABC

Tuesday marked a milestone at 77 WABC for morning host Sid Rosenberg. He’s now been at the New York news/talk station for a decade.

Rosenberg celebrated the event with a special seven-hour broadcast, leading the discussion on the station from 6 AM-1 PM. Throughout the day, he was joined by several hitters, including Sean Hannity, John and Margo Catsimatidis, and even President Donald Trump called into the program.

“Ten years at WABC has been the honor of my career,” said Sid Rosenberg. “This station gave me a microphone, a family, and the freedom to be unapologetically myself every morning. I’m incredibly grateful to John and Margo Catsimatidis, Chad Lopez, and the entire WABC team for believing in me, and to the listeners who’ve been with me through every high and low. This anniversary isn’t about looking back — it’s about how much more we’re going to do together.”

Additionally, the President of the New York State Broadcasters Association, Dave Donovan, called in to congratulate Rosenberg on the milestone.

“Sid Rosenberg is one of the most authentic voices in radio today,” said Red Apple Media owner John Catsimatidis. “For the past 10 years, he’s connected with listeners in a way that’s real, passionate, and fearless. WABC is growing, we’re investing in the future, and Sid is a huge part of why this station’s best days are still ahead — not just in New York, but around the world.”

“For 10 years, Sid Rosenberg has delivered compelling, fearless, and impactful radio every morning on WABC Radio,” Lopez said. “He’s a defining voice of WABC and a major reason the station continues to grow, influence, and lead.”

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Seattle Mariners Radio Voice Rick Rizzs To Retire Following 2026 Season

BSM Staff
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Seattle Mariners Radio Voice Rick Rizzs To Retire Following 2026 Season

Rick Rizzs, the longtime radio voice of the Seattle Mariners and one of the most recognizable figures in Pacific Northwest sports media, announced that the 2026 season will be his final year as the club’s primary radio play-by-play broadcaster, closing a career that has spanned more than five decades behind the microphone.

Rizzs, who joined the Mariners in 1983, said the decision reflects a desire to spend more time with family after 40 seasons calling games in Seattle and 43 years broadcasting Major League Baseball overall. While he plans to remain active throughout the 2026 season, his schedule will be adjusted, with a full slate of home games and a reduced number of road broadcasts.

“I’ve been blessed to live my dream as a baseball play-by-play announcer for the past 51 seasons,” Rizzs said. “Calling Mariners games has been the highlight of my life, and the connection with fans across the Northwest has made it unbelievably special.”

The announcement comes as the Mariners prepare to celebrate their 50th season in 2026, a milestone that will now double as a yearlong farewell tour for a broadcaster widely viewed as the franchise’s signature voice. Mariners Chairman and Managing Partner John Stanton described Rizzs as an essential part of the organization’s identity, noting the consistency and passion he has brought to the booth across four decades.

“Rick has become the Voice of the Mariners,” Stanton said. “His energy, iconic calls and genuine love for this community shine through every broadcast. We look forward to celebrating him throughout the 2026 season as he concludes a Hall of Fame-caliber career.”

Rizzs’ tenure in Seattle includes two distinct chapters. After nine seasons with the club from 1983 to 1991, he spent three years as the lead radio voice of the Detroit Tigers before returning to Seattle for the memorable 1995 season. Since then, he has remained a constant presence through multiple eras of Mariners baseball, ultimately becoming the longest-tenured broadcaster in franchise history.

Beyond the booth, Rizzs has built an extensive legacy through community service. In 1995, he co-founded the Toys for Kids nonprofit, which has provided new toys to more than 360,000 children in the Pacific Northwest during the holiday season. The organization has also awarded college scholarships and expanded programming to support families facing housing insecurity, food scarcity and limited access to basic school supplies.

A native of Chicago’s South Side, Rizzs is a 1975 graduate of Southern Illinois University. He began his broadcasting career in minor league baseball before serving as sports director at WBNS Radio in Columbus, Ohio, where he called Ohio State football and Triple-A baseball. That path ultimately led him to Seattle, where his voice became synonymous with summer nights and Mariners baseball.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

FOX Sports, NASCAR Studios Announce Documentary on Dale Earnhardt’s Passing

BSM Staff
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FOX Sports, NASCAR Studios Announce Documentary on Dale Earnhardt’s Passing

FOX Sports and NASCAR Studios are partnering to look back at one of the most searing moments in American sports history with a new original documentary examining the death of Dale Earnhardt and its lasting impact on NASCAR.

We’ve Lost Dale Earnhardt: 25 Years Later will premiere Thursday, February 12, at 10 p.m. ET on FS1, immediately following the Duel at Daytona. The documentary marks the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Daytona 500, a race remembered as much for its tragic ending as for the sweeping changes it set in motion across motorsports.

“FOX Sports’ partnership with NASCAR allows us to tell stories that define the heart of the sport,” said Barry Nugent, vice president of development and original programming at FOX Sports. “Through this film, we are honored to spotlight Dale Earnhardt, one of the most iconic and influential figures in NASCAR, and carry his legacy forward.”

Told through first-person interviews, rare home video, archival broadcast footage, and cinematic storytelling, the film revisits Earnhardt’s final moments. It also expands to the emotional, cultural, and competitive consequences that followed. Rather than focusing solely on the accident, the project examines how the sport, its media partners, and competitors were permanently changed afterward.

Earnhardt’s death on the final lap stunned fans, teams and broadcasters nationwide. The shock was compounded by the fact that it occurred during FOX Sports’ first NASCAR Cup Series broadcast, forcing the network’s production team to navigate an unprecedented live television moment.

The documentary revisits that challenge while also examining how NASCAR leadership responded as the gravity of the situation became clear.

Former NASCAR president Mike Helton, who delivered the words “We’ve lost Dale Earnhardt,” offers an intimate reflection on that responsibility. The film also features drivers who competed in the race, including Rusty Wallace and Kurt Busch. Kyle Busch, who attended the event that day, also shares his perspective. Current stars Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney share how Earnhardt’s legacy continues to shape the modern Cup Series.

Additional voices include Frankie Muniz, the honorary pace car driver at the 2001 Daytona 500. Longtime NASCAR and FOX Sports figures Ryan McGee and Patti Wheeler also appear. Together, the interviews portray a moment that transcended racing. It became part of the broader American sports consciousness.

“Through the prism of those indelible words, this documentary explores that fateful day and the profound impact it continues to have a quarter-century later,” said John Dahl, NASCAR’s senior vice president of content.

Directed by Justin Burnett, the documentary is executive produced by leaders from NASCAR Studios and FOX Sports. The collaboration underscores a shared effort to tell a deeply personal and historically significant story. Twenty-five years later, Earnhardt’s presence still looms large. This documentary aims to explain why.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Caitlin Clark Joins NBC Sports as Special Contributor for ‘Basketball Night in America’ Debut

BSM Staff
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Caitlin Clark Joins NBC Sports as Special Contributor for ‘Basketball Night in America’ Debut

Caitlin Clark’s influence on basketball continues to expand beyond the court, and her next stage will come under the brightest lights in the sport. The Indiana Fever star will join NBC Sports as a special contributor for the debut of Basketball Night in America, which will air live from Madison Square Garden on February 1 at 6 p.m. ET.

The studio show will serve as the lead-in to the launch of Sunday Night Basketball, marking NBC’s return to regular-season NBA coverage. The opening game features LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers visiting Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks at 7 p.m. ET. The nightcap follows at 9:30 p.m. ET, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder against Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets.

As part of her role, Clark will join host Maria Taylor for pregame commentary. She will work alongside analysts and Hall of Famers Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady. The assignment places Clark in a high-profile studio setting. It mirrors the crossover appeal she has brought to the women’s game over the past two seasons.

“I’m really excited to be part of the Basketball Night in America crew this season,” Clark said in a statement. “Carmelo, Vince, and Tracy are legends of the game and Maria is a true professional. It will be really fun to join them a few times this season.”

NBC Sports executives view Clark’s addition as a natural fit for a broadcast blending star power with modern basketball conversation. Executive producer Sam Flood called Clark one of the sport’s most compelling figures. He also emphasized her ability to connect across audiences during launch weekend in New York.

Clark will make a second appearance in the same role on March 29 at Paycom Center, when Oklahoma City hosts New York in another Sunday Night Basketball showcase.

The 23-year-old arrives with an already crowded resume. Clark is a two-time WNBA All-Star, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, and a First Team All-WNBA selection. She earned those honors after her first season with the Indiana Fever. Before turning pro, she built one of the most decorated collegiate careers in history at the University of Iowa. Clark became the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer.

NBC’s Sunday Night Basketball package will run through April 5 with 11 total games, including three doubleheaders, while Basketball Night in America will anchor the coverage each week on NBC and Peacock, with Spanish-language broadcasts airing on Telemundo.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Bari Weiss: CBS News Not ‘Producing a Product That Enough People Want’

BNM Staff
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Bari Weiss: CBS News Not ‘Producing a Product That Enough People Want’

CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss has unveiled her vision for the company in a town hall meeting with staffers on Tuesday.

During the event, she shared that she believes her role needs to include shifting the network’s mindset to more digital aspects.

“I am here to make CBS News fit for purpose in the 21st Century,” she said. “Our industry has changed more in the last decade that in the last 150 years, and the transformation isn’t over yet. Far from it. It’s almost impossible to conceive of how fast things will move from here.”

Weiss aadded by stating that honesty will be the best policy going forward. And admitting that it hasn’t lived up to its end of the bargain by producing enough credible news, in her view.

“We have to start by looking honestly at ourselves. We are not producing a product that enough people want,” she said. Weiss added that “We can blame demographics, or technology, or fractured attention spans, or ‘news avoidance,’ but these are all copes.”

She continued by stating that the falling trust in mainstream media is partly to blame. But she believes that legacy media organizations haven’t done a good enough job adapting to the current landscape.

“We are not doing enough to meet audiences where they are, so they are leaving us,” said Weiss. “They are not tuning out, far from it. In fact, Americans spend twice as much time consuming news today as they did 50 years ago. They are going to the vast universe of podcasts, and YouTube, and Twitch, and newsletters and, yes, sometimes to our nimbler competitors.”

An increased focus on “scoops” will be enacted under Weiss’ tutelage, she shared. “This is where we can soar, and where we’ll be investing,” she concluded.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Ground Zero with Clyde Lewis to Exit National Syndication

BNM Staff
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Ground Zero with Clyde Lewis to Exit National Syndication

After the hospitalization and recovery of its host, Ground Zero with Clyde Lewis will conclude its run in national syndication at the end of the week.

Currently distributed by Talk Media Network, the show that originally launched more than 30 years will no longer be available after Friday’s broadcast.

Recently, Clyde Lewis has been hospitalized and placed in a nursing facility following a kidney failure diagnosis. While he is on the mend, the show noted in a post on social media that it has lost several affiliates.

“We will no longer be on syndicated terrestrial radio after the end of this month,” a social media post for the show reads. “Clyde is scheduled to be out of the nursing facility mid-February and will resume hosting Ground Zero. Thank you so much for your ongoing support as we go through these drastic but needed changes with the show.”

The new version of the show will be a digital-based endeavor. The program also noted that it has not received any advertising revenue from being based at AM 860 The Answer in Portland, and is paying to rent the studio space at the station in order to produce the show.

Ground Zero with Clyde Lewis is currently heard on several stations, including 840 WHAS in Louisville, 580 KIDO in Boise, and 98.9 WORD in Greenville, among others.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Tony Romo: Outside Criticism of CBS Sports Broadcasts Is Part of the Job

BSM Staff
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Tony Romo: Outside Criticism of CBS Sports Broadcasts Is Part of the Job

Tony Romo has heard the noise that comes with being one of the most visible analysts in sports television. He just refuses to let it define how he approaches his job. Appearing Tuesday on The Pat McAfee Show, Romo offered a candid look at how he processes criticism surrounding his work on CBS Sports, while also explaining the philosophy that shapes his approach in the broadcast booth.

Romo acknowledged that scrutiny is unavoidable in a role that places him front and center during the NFL’s biggest games. However, he said the key is maintaining perspective and staying true to the instincts that helped him land the job in the first place.

“You’re doing you,” Romo said. “You’ve got to be yourself and everything. You’re trying your best. You’re never not trying your hardest to go be great at something. But then you look at it, the noise is the noise. It’s part of being in this job.”

That mindset extends to the online criticism that often follows high-profile broadcasts. The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback has been no stranger to criticism over performance during his career on the field and off it.

Romo explained that while social media commentary exists, it rarely aligns with the feedback he receives in real life, where fans consistently express appreciation for the NFL on CBS team.

“All the fans come up to me and say how much they love us,” Romo said. “That’s what I feel. As far as looking at stuff online, it’s just part of the process. I don’t think it really changes things. They’re watching you.”

Rather than adjusting his delivery to appease critics, Romo said he focuses on authenticity and preparation. He believes his instincts, enthusiasm, and willingness to react naturally to the game are what set him apart when he transitioned from quarterback to broadcaster.

“You have to be yourself and just go with it,” Romo said. “I got to this position because of that.”

Romo also discussed how his playing background influences the way he talks about certain players during a broadcast. He admitted he often gravitates toward certain athletes, particularly those whose passion and commitment stand out on and off the field.

“I want the game built up,” Romo said. “I want certain players, the guys who care deeply. I want you to give everything you have and literally care that much.”

That approach, Romo added, comes from respect rather than favoritism. Having played at the highest level, he understands how demanding the NFL can be and believes effort deserves recognition when it consistently shows up on Sundays.

“You root for those guys,” Romo said. “Not everyone gives every ounce of themselves. So many players do, but not all of them.”

As Romo continues to occupy one of the most scrutinized roles in sports media, his message remained simple. The criticism will always exist, but his responsibility is to the game, the audience, and staying true to the style that earned him a seat in the booth.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

NFL Lifts Reported Ban on Dave Portnoy Attending Super Bowl

BSM Staff
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NFL Lifts Reported Ban on Dave Portnoy Attending Super Bowl

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy will be allowed to attend the Super Bowl in Santa Clara. The decision ends a years-long rift that previously kept the outspoken media personality from the NFL’s marquee event.

An NFL spokesperson confirmed to Front Office Sports that Portnoy is permitted to purchase a ticket for the game that features the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. The change in status was first reported by TMZ.

The apparent unbanning closes a chapter that began during Super Bowl week in 2019. That year, Portnoy, a vocal New England Patriots supporter, was removed from Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta during the Patriots’ matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. Video of the incident circulated widely after Portnoy mockingly went limp, mimicking what he later described as a “dead fish,” while being escorted out.

Portnoy’s 2019 ejection stemmed from events earlier that week. He had falsified a media credential to attend a Super Bowl-related function. Authorities charged him with criminal trespass following the incident. The episode was not isolated.

In 2017, longtime Barstool podcaster PFT Commenter also falsified a media badge in Houston. The incident followed the outlet being denied credentials. It further strained relations between the digital media brand and the league.

Tensions between Portnoy, Barstool Sports and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stretch back even further. In 2015, following Tom Brady’s suspension in the Deflategate scandal, Portnoy and several Barstool employees protested outside NFL headquarters in New York. Portnoy later escalated the feud by distributing merchandise that depicted Goodell as a clown with a bright red nose.

The company has strengthened its ties to the league’s broader media ecosystem through a partnership with Netflix and FOX Sports. Portnoy’s personal relationship with Patriots owner Robert Kraft has also remained intact. Now, with the Super Bowl door reopened, one of sports media’s most polarizing figures appears poised to reenter the NFL’s biggest stage as a fan.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

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