

Club Shay Shay - Dave Portnoy Part 1
May 14, 2025
Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports and known as 'El Presidente,' shares his insights on the evolution of sports media. He recounts the humble beginnings of Barstool as a free newspaper and discusses how authenticity and spontaneity propelled its rise to social media dominance. Portnoy also reflects on the impact of gambling on his brand and offers candid thoughts on working with big personalities like Alexandra Cooper. Touching on current sports dynamics, he dives into the thrill of the NBA playoffs and the shifting landscape of media engagement.
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Hustling Start with Free Papers
- Dave Portnoy started Barstool Sports by handing out 5,000 to 10,000 free newspapers on Boston streets daily.
- He personally hawked papers at subway platforms and city corners to grow early circulation and interest.
From Homeless to Models
- Early on, Barstool hired homeless people to distribute newspapers but they didn’t perform reliably.
- Dave switched to using models in jerseys to better attract attention and increase distribution success.
Power of Authenticity
- Barstool thrived by being unfiltered and unapologetically authentic, building a loyal audience.
- Dave trusted audience numbers over loud critics, knowing honesty would keep followers loyal.