Few figures in digital media spark as much debate as Dave Portnoy. He built Barstool Sports from a scrappy Boston giveaway into a multi-platform empire, then famously bought it back for a dollar.
Born: March 22, 1977 ·
Known for: Founder, Barstool Sports ·
Net worth (estimated): $100-150 million ·
Marital status: Divorced (ex-wife: Renee Portnoy) ·
Political affiliation: Republican / Trump supporter ·
Key acquisition: Barstool Sports bought back for $1 (2023)
Quick snapshot
- Exact net worth – estimates vary widely (The Independent)
- Whether he plans to sell Barstool again (The Independent)
- Details of divorce settlement remain private (The Independent)
- 2003: Barstool founded as print paper
- 2020: Penn National buys 36% for $450M
- 2023: Portnoy buys Barstool back for $1
- 2024: Publicly endorses Trump for president
- Portnoy may shift political support if economy falters (The Independent)
- Barstool continues as independent media company (The Independent)
- Pizza review series remains a cultural staple (The Independent)
Eight facts that define the Portnoy persona, from birth to business:
| Full name | David Scott Portnoy |
|---|---|
| Born | March 22, 1977 (age 47) |
| Occupation | Businessman, social media personality |
| Known for | Founder of Barstool Sports, One Bite Pizza Reviews |
| Net worth | Estimated $100-150 million |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Ex-wife | Renee Portnoy (m. 2009, div. 2023) |
Why is Dave Portnoy so famous?
Founding Barstool Sports
- Portnoy launched Barstool Sports in 2003 as a free weekly newspaper focused on gambling tips, printed from his mother’s basement (CBS News).
- It grew into a digital media empire covering sports, pop culture, and politics, attracting millions of monthly readers (Wikipedia).
- Portnoy’s brash, unfiltered style became the brand’s trademark, drawing both loyal fans and fierce critics.
Pizza review one-bite series
- In 2017, Portnoy started the “One Bite Pizza Reviews” YouTube channel, where he rates pizzerias on a 10-point scale (Wikipedia).
- The series went viral, accumulating hundreds of millions of views and making Portnoy an unlikely pizza critic.
Media personality and controversy
- Portnoy frequently wades into cultural and political debates, often with inflammatory language that generates headlines.
- His persona as “El Presidente” of Barstool has made him a polarizing figure in mainstream media (New York Post).
Portnoy’s fame rests on three pillars: a media startup that refused to die, a pizza gimmick that became a cultural phenomenon, and a willingness to say anything. The combination created an audience that few digital creators can match.
The pattern: Portnoy’s celebrity is no accident — each pillar reinforces the others, turning controversy into clicks and clicks into cash.
How did Dave Portnoy make his money?
Barstool Sports founding and growth
- Portnoy bootstrapped Barstool from a free paper into a profitable blog and video network by the early 2010s.
- Revenue came from merchandise, advertising, and live events, building a loyal, largely male audience (CBS News).
Acquisition by Penn National Gaming
- In 2020, Penn National Gaming acquired a 36% stake in Barstool for $450 million, valuing the company at over $1 billion (Wikipedia).
- Portnoy remained CEO and continued to run daily operations.
Buyback for $1 and current ownership
- In 2023, Penn National dropped the Barstool sportsbook license due to regulatory issues, and Portnoy repurchased the remaining stake for $1 (CBS News).
- He now owns 100% of Barstool, declaring “I got it back for a dollar, baby” (CBS News).
- Portnoy also earns from his personal brand, including pizza reviews, merchandise, and speaking engagements.
Three money moves, one pattern: Portnoy turned a basement paper into a nine-figure asset, cashed out at the peak, then reclaimed it for pocket change.
| Event | Year | Financial impact |
|---|---|---|
| Founded Barstool | 2003 | Bootstrapped, no outside capital |
| Penn National stake sale | 2020 | $450 million for 36% |
| Buyback | 2023 | $1 for full ownership |
What this means: Portnoy’s fortune is tied to Barstool’s value, but his net worth is hard to pin down. He told The Independent in 2025 that his net worth fell about 15% after Trump’s tariff announcement, suggesting a portfolio heavy in equities and crypto.
Is Dave Portnoy a Trump supporter and what are his political views?
Republican affiliation
- Portnoy has said he votes Republican and supports Donald Trump (NPR).
- But in 2020 he told The American Presidency Project he considered himself apolitical, not “wildly Republican or Democrat.”
Public support for Donald Trump
- Portnoy endorsed Trump in both 2020 and 2024 (NPR).
- He told NPR in 2025 his vote was “more an indictment of Democrats” than a full endorsement of Trump’s policies, citing “woke politics” as a key reason (NPR).
- He also said “I’m pro-choice” and supports health care for everyone, positions that don’t align with traditional Republican orthodoxy (NPR; CNN).
Criticism of Democratic policies
- Portnoy frequently criticizes Democratic figures on social media, calling them out of touch.
- In 2025, he criticized Trump’s tariffs after market turmoil, saying he was “never a crazy MAGA guy” (The Independent).
- He indicated he might support Democrats in the 2026 midterms if the economy and stock market keep struggling (The Independent).
Portnoy calls himself a Republican Trump voter, but his policy views — pro-choice, pro-universal healthcare, skeptical of tariffs — sound more like a centrist populist. The “Barstool conservatism” label he helped create may be less about ideology and more about opposition to what he calls “wokeness.”
The implication: Portnoy’s political identity is fluid, driven more by cultural grievances than party loyalty — a trait that keeps his audience guessing.
Why did Dave Portnoy split from his wife?
Marriage to Renee Portnoy
- Dave Portnoy married Renee Portnoy in 2009 (Wikipedia).
- The couple had no children together.
Separation and divorce details
- They announced their separation in 2021, and the divorce was finalized in 2023 (Wikipedia).
- The cause was listed as “irreconcilable differences.” Financial terms were not publicly disclosed.
Public statements
- Portnoy has said they remain on good terms, and he has spoken positively about Renee in interviews.
- No public statements from Renee Portnoy have been reported.
The pattern: Portnoy’s divorce coincided with a period of massive business upheaval — the Penn National deal, the pandemic, and the Call Her Daddy exit. Whether the split was related to his public persona or private life, it remains one of the few personal details he keeps guarded.
Does Barstool still make money off Call Her Daddy?
Call Her Daddy podcast origin
- Call Her Daddy, hosted by Alex Cooper, was signed to Barstool Sports in 2018 and quickly became one of the top podcasts globally (Wikipedia).
- Portnoy claims Barstool made significant revenue from the show during its run.
Host Alex Cooper’s departure
- In 2021, Alex Cooper left Barstool after a contract dispute and signed a multi-year deal with Spotify reported to be worth $60 million (Wikipedia).
- Portnoy publicly criticized the departure, but the show was Barstool’s property.
Financial terms after separation
- Barstool retains no ongoing profit from Call Her Daddy. The show and its intellectual property moved to Spotify.
- Portnoy has said the split was a “business decision” and that Barstool still owns the rights to the show’s name, but Cooper has rebranded her podcast.
What this means: Barstool lost its biggest podcast revenue stream, but Portnoy used the controversy to reinforce his anti-corporate, anti-“woke” brand — turning a financial loss into a cultural loyalty signal.
Timeline
- 2003: Founded Barstool Sports as a print paper in Boston (Wikipedia)
- 2010s: Barstool expands to digital media, blog, video content
- 2017: One Bite Pizza Reviews launched on YouTube
- 2020: Penn National Gaming acquires 36% stake for $450 million
- 2021: Separation from wife Renee Portnoy; Call Her Daddy leaves Barstool
- 2023: Buys back Barstool for $1; divorce finalized
- 2024: Publicly endorses Donald Trump for president
Why this matters: The timeline shows a pattern of brash moves that paid off — until they didn’t, and then Portnoy doubled down. From a basement paper to a billion-dollar valuation and back to sole ownership, his story is a masterclass in riding the cycle.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Dave Portnoy founded Barstool Sports in 2003 (Wikipedia)
- He repurchased Barstool for $1 in 2023 (CBS News)
- He is a Republican and Trump supporter (NPR)
- He is divorced from Renee Portnoy (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Exact current net worth – estimates vary
- Whether he plans to sell Barstool again
- Exact details of his divorce settlement
Quotes from the record
“I got it back for a dollar, baby.”
— Dave Portnoy, on buying back Barstool Sports in 2023 (CBS News)
“I’m pro-choice. I vote for Trump. I support him. But I’m not a crazy MAGA guy.”
— Dave Portnoy, in a 2025 interview (CNN)
“My vote for Trump was more an indictment of Democrats than an endorsement of his politics.”
— Dave Portnoy, to NPR in 2025 (NPR)
“I’m an entrepreneur and a capitalist. I don’t believe in socialism. But I support health care for everyone.”
— Dave Portnoy, in a 2025 appearance (CNN)
These quotes reveal a man who embraces contradictions: a capitalist who wants universal healthcare, a Trump voter who criticizes tariffs, a media mogul who built an empire on a free paper. For investors, the lesson is clear: follow the business moves, not the rhetoric. Portnoy’s next move — whether in politics or business — will be shaped by the same force that drove him from the start: the ability to read the room and bet on himself.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Dave Portnoy’s real name?
David Scott Portnoy (Wikipedia).
How old is Dave Portnoy?
Born March 22, 1977, he is 47 years old as of 2025.
Does Dave Portnoy have children?
No, he does not have children with his ex-wife Renee or any other partner.
What is Dave Portnoy’s education?
He attended the University of Michigan but left before graduating to start Barstool Sports (Wikipedia).
Did Dave Portnoy write a book?
He has not published a book, though he has discussed writing one in the future.
What is Dave Portnoy’s favorite pizza?
He has given high scores to many pizzerias but has not named a single favorite. Top-rated include Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana and Prince Street Pizza (Wikipedia).
Is Dave Portnoy still owner of Barstool Sports?
Yes, he owns 100% of Barstool Sports after buying back the company for $1 in 2023.
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Downunder Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.