Dave Portnoy steers Barstool Sports to new horizons with UTA partnership

“I am never going to sell Barstool Sports ever. I’ll hold it till I die.” Portnoy declares.

Barstool Sports, the dynamic and sometimes polarizing digital sports brand, has embarked on a new chapter as an independent entity once more, with founder Dave Portnoy at the steering wheel.

Recently realigned with United Talent Agency (UTA), Barstool and its in-house talent are poised to expand their media influence across various platforms, including TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube, and further their reach in the podcast arena with hits like 'Pardon My Take.'

Founded in 2003 by Portnoy, Barstool Sports rapidly grew into a cultural phenomenon, particularly among young male audiences.

After changing hands several times, including a significant purchase by Penn Entertainment in 2020 for $551 million and a brief partnership with ESPN, the brand was sold back to Portnoy for a mere $1 in 2023.

This strategic move marked a return to its roots, with Portnoy emphasizing the newfound editorial freedom: “For us, for Barstool, for the first time in forever, we don’t have to watch what we say, how we talk, what we do,” he declared.

“It’s back to the pirate ship. And by the way, I am never going to sell Barstool Sports ever. I’ll hold it till I die.”

Following its independence, Barstool has not only secured a lucrative sports betting partnership with DraftKings but has also ventured into broadcasting college sports and the annual NYPD vs. FDNY hockey game.

The company's renewed focus on leveraging its robust roster of sports and culture creators signals a robust future trajectory aimed at dominating the digital media landscape.