Barstool Sports

Barstool Sports is an American blog and digital media company founded in 2003 by Dave Portnoy, which grew from a free Boston-area print sports paper into a nationally recognized brand centered on sports journalism, pop culture, and personality-driven content. It became especially influential through its podcasts (such as Pardon My Take), social media presence, and loyal fanbase of 'Stoolies,' while also expanding into merchandise, live events, food and beverage brands, and sports betting partnerships. Barstool Sports also owns and operates a sports blog, Old Row, and an amateur boxing contest, Rough N Rowdy.

Over the years, Barstool has attracted major investments (notably from The Chernin Group and Penn Entertainment), reached valuations in the hundreds of millions, and secured high-profile media deals with companies like Fox Sports and Netflix. At the same time, it has frequently been embroiled in controversy over offensive content, workplace culture, and the behavior of its personalities. Despite this, Barstool remains a major force in modern sports and entertainment media, with Portnoy regaining ownership in 2023 and continuing to steer its direction.