Black business insider
In November 2021, Julia Black at Business Insider (since rebranded as Insider) reported that Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has a history of grooming young women for violent sexual encounters, per accounts by multiple women.
Black spoke with several women, all using pseudonyms out of concern that Portnoy and fans of Barstool Sports (known as “Stoolies”) would attempt to intimidate and attack them, as is known to happen (and eventually did happen). Each of the women outlined their experiences in which they said they contacted Portnoy through direct messages, engaged in sexually explicit conversations, met him in person, and engaged in sex that turned violent and aggressive without a sense that they were able to say no or stop.
Business insider
Portnoy disputed the reporting in two videos he posted to Twitter and would go on to further refute the story and accuse Black and Insider of making up details and attacking him due to his support of Donald Trump and to damage Barstool and its reputation. “Total bulls cancel culture 101,” said Portnoy in an hour-long live stream days after the report dropped.
Portnoy would continue his aggressive pushback against Black and Insider in more social media posts and videos. “Your head is going to be on my spike,” said Portnoy in one particular Twitter video that tagged Insider CEO Henry Blodget.
“Here is what people have to know about me,” Portnoy wrote on Twitter. “If you wrong me I will burn you to the ground. If I burn with it that’s the cost of doing Julia black business insider. I’ve always been that way.” Portnoy also accused Insider of “exploiting” the women in the story “for political agendas and financial gain” and attempted to get the hashtag “CancelBusinessInsider” trending on Twitter.
A minority
At one point, Portnoy floated the idea of suing Insider in a tweet, but that apparently did not happen. free spins no deposit casino
Barstool CEO Erika Mardini also came out in support of Portnoy, saying on her podcast that “it was hard for me because I don’t think any women should be forced to do anything against their will” but noting that “it really disturbing was how that piece came together.” Mardini cited that the report came out the same day as the earnings call for Penn National, which owns a minority stake in Barstool.
The whole affair played out pretty much as many expected. Barstool or someone working for Barstool is accused of something heinous, Barstool pushes back harshly, the Stoolies harass the accuser, and the issue goes away or at least fades into the background.
However, Black returned on Wednesday along with Julia black business insider for a new report by Insider that includes three new accusers who came forward after the initial report, all of whom claim Portnoy filmed their sexual encounters without consent. One of the women also claims that Portnoy broke one of her ribs during an encounter.