This Week in Startups E1153: Dave Portnoy on the business of Barstool, talent acquisition, Call Her Daddy controversy & more
Dec 15, 2020
Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, shares insights from his journey of transforming a simple newspaper into a major media powerhouse. He discusses the evolution of talent acquisition and the creative shifts in job applications, emphasizing the need for real skills over traditional resumes. The conversation dives into the controversial 'Call Her Daddy' fiasco, exploring themes of loyalty and authenticity. Portnoy also reflects on the intersection of comedy, gambling, and financial literacy, offering humorous takes on trading and the complexities of navigating a rapidly changing media landscape.
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Create, Don't Wait
- Create your own opportunities instead of waiting for them.
- Demonstrate your skills through tangible work rather than just claiming them on a resume.
Call Her Daddy Controversy
- Dave Portnoy recounts the "Call Her Daddy" controversy, where the hosts tried to renegotiate their contract.
- He refused, leading to one host leaving and the other staying, resulting in greater success.
Early Barstool Valuation
- Barstool Sports received a $12.5 million valuation from Chernin Group in 2016.
- Despite having multi-million dollar profits, Dave Portnoy prioritized profit over revenue, a non-traditional approach.