Dave Portnoy, the founder and president of Barstool Sports, expressed his anger in a passionate video on social media. He called attention to a disturbing incident at one of his company’s bars in Philadelphia where an anti-Semitic sign was displayed.
Portnoy, who is Jewish himself, was shocked to learn that a sign reading ‘F*** the Jews’ was seen at the Barstool bar. In response, he quickly uploaded an ‘Emergency Press Conference’ video on Sunday to address the issue.
The Massachusetts native says he has been tracking down those responsible and promised to ‘come for throats’ over the despicable display.
The incident took place at the Barstool Sansom Street bar in Philadelphia’s Center City neighborhood. Portnoy was upset and alarmed when he received numerous messages alerting him about the offensive sign while he was preparing to attend an event over the weekend.
‘Usually a great bar. You know, bottle service, people buy drinks, you get a sign. There was a sign yesterday that said, “F*** the Jews”,’ Portnoy said.
‘I’ve been shaking. I’ve been so mad for the last two hours. Like I instantly got on, this is why the Emergency Press Conference is late, because I was so over the top.’
WARNING: VIDEO BELOW CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE.
Portnoy then said, ‘I’m gonna f***ing make it my life f***ing mission to ruin these people. Like, I’m coming for your throat. I’m never ending.’
He explained that he’d spent the hours prior to making the video tracking down as much information as possible on the situation.
‘You think I’m gonna put up with this s**t at my bar?,’ Portnoy explained.
The 48-year-old Portnoy said he was ‘hunting down’ the waitresses that served the table and those at the table themselves, ‘Because I want f***ing consequences for f***ing actions.’
Portnoy said that both of the waitresses responsible for holding up the sign have been fired and called one of them ‘one of the dumbest f***ing humans I’ve ever talked to in my life.’
Video of the sign was posted onto an Instagram story of an account that appears to have been deleted.
That story tagged a now-private account. Portnoy says he spoke to the person behind the tagged account and revealed that they weren’t at the bar that evening.
‘I had this kid basically in tears, turning state witness to me, rolling on the people who there,’ he said.
Portnoy says he contacted the person who posted the video before the account was deleted. The Barstool founder claims is a student at Temple University.
He says the person behind the video began crying and telling Portnoy that he isn’t anti-Semitic.
‘I don’t buy it for a second,’ Portnoy said. ‘Who the f*** would do that sign in my f***in bar? You think I’m just gonna sit here? I’m gonna make it my mission to put you in lights.’
He continued: ‘Tell me how do I make this right before I go ape-s**t. You want to take anti-Semitism classes? You want to do whatever? You make it feel right. I don’t need your tears… Trust me, they’re pulling the footage.
‘I’m 20 steps ahead and I’m using everything. I am going to come for your f***ing throat unless you give me answers.’
Portnoy concluded the rant: ‘What I’m saying is: I’m getting the names, I’m trying to be a little responsible, I’m trying to keep it together, but I’m on it. I’m f***ing on it.’
A number of Portnoy’s Barstool employees expressed sympathy and support for their boss on social media.
Barstool college football creator Kayce Smith posted, ‘This is absolutely sickening. My heart hurts for my Jewish friends and family knowing how much hate they face daily.’
‘horrifically hateful by these people who did it and those who allowed it. No place in the world for this. Horrific,’ posted Barstool gambling content creator Rico Bosco.
Last month, Portnoy was seen ringside at UFC 314 in Miami waving an Israeli flag in a pointed statement against one of the fighters, Bryce Mitchell.
Mitchell had gone viral earlier in the year after making various anti-Semitic statements on a podcast – including statements denying the Holocaust.
He was soundly defeated by his Brazilian opponent, Jean Silva, and Portnoy took a victory lap on social media.
‘Always fun to see a Hitler lover get his a** whooped,’ Portnoy posted on X.
