Facing NFL Ban, Dave Portnoy Switches It Up by Sidelining NFL’s Professional Field for College Football

Dave Portnoy, a devoted football enthusiast who never misses an opportunity to catch his favorite team in action, often finds himself in the news due to his controversial nature. Undoubtedly, Portnoy has made a significant mark as a successful online sports commentator. As the proprietor of Barstool Sports, he consistently steps into the limelight to share his views. Whether it be pizza reviews or more contentious discussions is up to Portnoy’s fancy.

In September, he made headlines by making predictions about the teams with a shot at winning the 2023 Super Bowl. However, his unfiltered commentary led to the NFL imposing a ban on his attendance at all future games. Now that he’s been barred from NFL events, he has once again managed to grab the spotlight.

Dave Portnoy’s surprise pivot

The 2023 college football season got off to an electric start on October 1st. USC edged out Colorado 48-41 in a thrilling game in front of celebrities. Michigan and Texas cruised to big wins, Oregon and Penn State rebounded in the second half, and Georgia showcased their transformed team from the previous two championship seasons.

However, while all this was occurring, Portnoy, known for his NFL predictions, surprised his followers with a shift in focus. In a post on X, he announced that he would change gears. “I’ve decided to switch it up and do college rankings instead of NFL this week just for the hell of it 1. Georgia 2. Michigan 3. Florida State 4. Texas 5. Penn State,” he said, in his tongue-in-cheek tweet. This move suggests that he’s temporarily transitioning from NFL predictions to the college football scene due to the ban. However, this isn’t the first time he’s been banned from the NFL.

Dave Portnoy’s clashes with the NFL

Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, was banned from NFL events due to his outspoken protest against the league’s handling of the Deflategate scandal in 2015. Portnoy, along with three other Barstool Sports employees, organized a protest outside the NFL’s headquarters, expressing their dissatisfaction. Portnoy’s protest took a more provocative turn when he had 70,000 towels made featuring NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s face with a clown nose, publicly ridiculing Goodell’s leadership. This act of defiance added fuel to the fire of tension between Barstool Sports and the NFL.

Read More: Dave Portnoy’s Preseason Predictions Take a Hit as New England Patriots’ Subpar Performance Prompts Him to Question Their Status

In subsequent encounters with the NFL, Dave Portnoy and fellow Barstool Sports employee Eric Sollenberger engaged in antics during the 2018 Super Bowl media day. Disguised with fake identities and media badges, they mocked players and raised controversies, eventually leading to their removal from the event. The culmination of these actions resulted in criminal charges, with Portnoy facing trespassing charges, and Sollenberger arrested for the same offense, even claiming an interview with the FBI. As a result, it seems unlikely that Barstool Sports, led by Dave Portnoy, will regain access to NFL events in the foreseeable future, if at all.

Dave Portnoy, the outspoken founder of Barstool Sports, has consistently courted controversy throughout his career as an online sports commentator. His ban from NFL events in 2018 and a more recent ban in 2023, following disruptive antics and provocative protests against the league, have marked significant chapters in this ongoing saga. Despite his contentious history with the NFL, Portnoy’s ability to capture the spotlight remains undiminished.

What do you think about Portnoy’s unusual career pivot?

Watch this story: 22 Months After Controversial NFL Exit, Independent Antonio Brown’s Video Proves His Stamina Is Here to Stay