Dave Portnoy to send culprits behind antisemitic sign to Auschwitz for Holocaust education

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy announced that the two men behind an antisemitic sign displayed at one of the company's Philadelphia bars will be sent to Auschwitz to learn about the Holocaust.

The sign, which read “f--- the Jews,” was brought out by bottle service staff during a loud party, and footage of the disturbing moment surfaced on social media over the weekend.

Initially vowing to “ruin” those responsible, Portnoy later said he reconsidered, opting to use the incident as a “teaching moment.” In a video statement, he called the men “young, drunk morons” and expressed his deep concern about the rising wave of antisemitism, both globally and personally.

“I’ve been doing Barstool for 20 years. I’ve never seen this much hate in my life,” Portnoy said. “This isn’t politics. This is about hating people—my parents, my grandparents. It’s disgusting.”

After speaking directly with the men and their families, Portnoy said they agreed to participate in an educational trip to Auschwitz. He is working in coordination with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s anti-hate foundation to organize the tour.

Two employees involved in the incident have been terminated.

The Auschwitz concentration camp, operated by Nazi Germany in Poland, was the site of the murder of at least 1.1 million Jews during the Holocaust.

Portnoy hopes the visit will encourage reflection and serve as a warning to others that antisemitic hate speech carries serious consequences. This comes amid a documented surge in antisemitic incidents in the U.S., with the ADL reporting a record number in 2024, many tied to Israel-related tensions.