Dave Portnoy is a notable media personality and entrepreneur. Known for his role as founder of Barstool Sports, he often speaks out on a variety of issues. The new year has included a lot of new topics that are of note for the famous personality.
Dave Portnoy on TikTok Ban
Portnoy recently expressed his concern on TikTok. This was in relation to it's rumored ban in the US with concern over the financial impact on small businesses and content creators. He argued the government is not considering real every day American workers who use this as a business venture.
Portnoy's Perspective on Government Control
He argues it is hypocritical for the government to be more worried about “Chinese disinformation” rather than their own. He explained that those who gain disinformation often do not seek proper reliable resources that are necessary to form solid opinions. He questions how much true value this ban is meant to actually represent when both domestic and international parties are using these methods and there is not much attention given to U.S. related content.
Departure of “Bussin’ with the Boys” Podcast
The hosts of the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast, Will Compton and Taylor Lewan will be leaving Barstool due to a big offer that Barstool Sports was unable to match. Though they wanted to stay with Barstool.
Financial Factors and Creative Freedom
Compton and Lewan’s said a “hometown discount” wasn't sufficient to stay on staff with Portnoy's company. Though the two cohosts had immense loyalty to Barstool and would have stayed if the money offered would have met a middle ground between the two parties offers. The duo were also seeking creative control over the podcast.
Dave Portnoy's Reaction To Bussin' Departure
Portnoy has shared his opinions on “The Unnamed Show”, explaining that he made a strong effort to keep the podcast at his company. Portnoy shared a mix of acceptance along with humor regarding this major business decision.
Company Value and Brand Building
Portnoy mentioned there is always greater value to companies who are looking for new talent rather than recognizing those already there. He expressed understanding but regret at not keeping the team that he believed were incredibly talented and successful at his platform. He mentioned Bussin was on the level of "Carrabis times a million" in terms of an impossible number to match as compensation.
Dave Portnoy and The US Government
Portnoy views government officials as being "detached from reality" after the push for a TikTok ban as he questions what was their true motivation behind the move. He argues that shutting down access to apps also means taking away peoples livelihood when there is no other recourse that seems reliable to those that are impacted.
The Impact on Creators and Small Businesses
Portnoy mentioned his own surprise with his opinions about Tik Tok and how he originally supported the ban. In addition Portnoy expressed shock that some would support a governmental force on citizens in regards to freedom of creativity and earning an income in an increasingly changing economic market.
Future of TikTok
The future is unclear at this time. He questioned the decision when he understood it more for himself stating that disinformation could come from any place including domestically not just from the Chinese government and its control over users in that app. He feels that citizens who are seeking credible information would find a variety of sources not just that single social platform which are equally suspect of false data.
Key Takeaways
- Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, is very vocal about the challenges and his opinions with the TikTok ban as well as the loss of a valued podcast for his company.
- He supports creators on platforms using a small business view as opposed to political motives of control.
- He shared concern about how those platforms impact daily working people.
- Portnoy is critical about actions made by the US government and sees some as oversteps which also has an underlying tone of hypocrisy when applied to American issues.
- Though he attempted to keep talent he is also realistic when high offers come and is supportive of their decisions to go.