Why Is Barstool Banned From the NFL?

Barstool Sports has been banned from the NFL. Why? Because Barstool is a website that is critical of the NFL.

Barstool’s History

Barstool Sports is a popular blog that is known for its crude humor and sports coverage. The site was founded in 2003 by David Portnoy, and it has become one of the most popular sports blogs on the internet. The site has attracted a large following of young male fans, and it has been banned from the NFL for its lewd content.

Barstool’s beginnings

Barstool Sports is an American sports and pop culture blog founded by David Portnoy in 2004. The blog covers a wide range of topics, including professional and amateur sports, pop culture, music, movies, TV, and more.

Portnoy has been banned from attending NFL games since 2015, after he was caught trying to sneak into a game with a fake ticket. In 2017, he was banned from entering any NFL stadium. Barstool has been critical of the NFL’s handling of player protests, domestic violence incidents, and other issues.

Barstool’s rise to popularity

Barstool Sports is an American sports and pop culture blog founded by David Portnoy in 2003 in Milton, Massachusetts. The blog is currently owned by Penn National Gaming. Barstool Sports has been banned from the NFL since 2015, but that hasn’t stopped the brand from becoming one of the most popular sports blogs in the country.

Barstool Sports started as a print magazine before transitioning to a digital platform. The blog quickly gained a following for its irreverent and often controversial content. In 2012, Barstool Sports was acquired by digital media company The Chernin Group.

In 2015, Barstool Sports was banned from the NFL after publishing a blog post that was critical of then-New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Despite the ban, Barstool Sports has continued to be one of the most popular sports blogs in the country.

Barstool’s NFL Ban

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has issued a lifetime ban to Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, according to a report from The Athletic. The ban comes after Portnoy made several remarks critical of the NFL and its handling of player protests.

The NFL’s statement

“The NFL has notified Barstool Sports that it will no longer be allowed to produce content from NFL events or locations,” the league said in a statement. “Our relationship with Barstool has been inconsistent with the NFL’s commitment to values including diversity and inclusion.”

Barstool’s response

On Wednesday, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy uploaded a profanity-laced video in response to the NFL’s decision to ban his company from advertising on its platforms.

“I’m getting effects of concussions just from watching that f—ing Goodell press conference,” Portnoy said, referring to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s Tuesday press conference regarding the league’s new partnership with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation.

“The f—ing hypocrisy of the NFL is astounding to me,” Portnoy continued. “They allow Rapaport to slide … they have no problem with domestic abusers … [but] they have a problem with us.”

Portnoy was referencing Michael Rapaport, an actor and comedian who has made numerous derogatory comments about Barstool Sports and its employees, as well as the NFL’s history of mishandling domestic violence incidents involving its players.

In the video, Portnoy also accused the NFL of “blackballing” Colin Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback who kneeled during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice.

“You want to talk about social injustice? How about you pay the guy that started all this $20 million?” Portnoy said. “But instead you blackball him.”

Portnoy concluded his video by calling out Goodell and Jay-Z, saying “F— you, Goodell … F— you, Jay-Z.”

The Fallout

After the NFL banned Barstool Sports from its events and sideline access, many Barstool fans are outraged. Barstool has been a vocal critic of the NFL, and some think this is the reason for the ban. Barstool founder Dave Portnoy has even threatened to boycott the NFL. Let’s take a look at the fallout from this decision.

Barstool’s reaction

In response to the NFL’s decision, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy said the company was “banned from the NFL” and called Goodell a “coward.”

“The fact that the most powerful man in sports is shaking in his boots because of a blog and a podcast is absolutely hilarious to me,” Portnoy said. “I don’t understand how somebody could be so scared of us. It just goes to show you how powerful we’ve become.”

Portnoy also said that he believes the NFL is “scared” of Barstool Sports because of its large male audience.

“The NFL is scared of us because they know our audience is their audience,” he said. “We have the same audience. They’re just 18- to 34-year-old guys who like sports, like drinking, and like having a good time.”

The public’s reaction

The public’s reaction to Barstool being banned from the NFL was mixed. Some people were outraged, calling the NFL’s decision “pathetic” and “cowardly.” Others argued that Barstool is a sexist and racist website that does not deserve to be associated with the NFL.