- Dave Portnoy revealed on his podcast that he was offered a U.S. Department of Commerce position under the Trump administration. However, he would have had to step away from Barstool Sports, the media company he founded in 2003.
- Portnoy has been a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, but his career has been marked by controversy.
- He questioned how high-profile business leaders, like Elon Musk, manage multiple companies, but the Trump administration never followed up on the offer.
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Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy says he was offered a U.S. Department of Commerce position under the Trump administration. However, the opportunity came with a significant condition.
Portnoy shared on his podcast “Davey Day Trader Global” that he would have had to step away from Barstool Sports, the media company he founded in 2003.
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Portnoy’s potential role in the Commerce Department
On Tuesday’s episode of “Davey Day Trader Global,” Portnoy revealed that he was contacted a few months ago about a possible government position. The Department of Commerce focuses on economic growth and job creation, making the offer a surprising pivot for the sports and pop culture entrepreneur.
Portnoy recalled the conversation, saying, “It was like, ‘Hey, would you have any interest in joining the Department of Commerce under [Sec. Howard] Lutnick?’”
While the opportunity was unexpected, it came with a major stipulation—he would have had to step down from running Barstool Sports. The company started as a free newspaper in Boston and has since grown into a multimillion-dollar digital media empire.
Portnoy’s political stance and past controversies
Portnoy has been a vocal supporter of President Trump, endorsing his presidential run. However, his career has also been marked by controversy.
In 2021, multiple women accused Portnoy of sexual misconduct—allegations he denied. Additionally, past videos have surfaced showing him using racially insensitive language, including a slur for Black people.
Comparing his situation to Elon Musk
While discussing the potential government role, Portnoy questioned how high-profile business leaders like Elon Musk manage multiple companies. In a video posted to his X account, he pondered whether a similar setup could have worked for him.
“I mean, I guess Elon doesn’t have a specific title…” Portnoy remarked during the podcast.
However, he ultimately says the Trump administration never followed up. He was told he would receive a call within a week if he could find someone to take over Barstool Sports—but that call never came.
“It was weird,” he said.
