Dave Portnoy credits Barstool Sports for Pat McAfee's media success

Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, has credited the company with helping shape Pat McAfee into a sports media star. Speaking during a radio appearance in Nantucket, Portnoy suggested that while McAfee possessed significant talent and ambition, the environment at Barstool served as a vital training ground for mastering social media and internet engagement.

Portnoy noted that Barstool helped build a professional team around the former Indianapolis Colts punter, some of whom continue to work with McAfee today. Although the relationship between McAfee and Barstool reportedly ended due to disagreements regarding business and financial matters, Portnoy emphasized that McAfee’s success was driven by his own drive to achieve high-profile goals, such as his interest in professional wrestling, combined with the digital expertise gained at Barstool.