Dave Portnoy, founder and owner of Barstool Sports, defended his media company as a comedy website that makes jokes about all groups.

The defense comes as the outlet faces recurring criticism that its content is sexist or demeaning. Portnoy's framing of the site as a comedy brand serves to counter accusations that the content is hateful rather than humorous.

During an appearance on PBS NewsHour, Portnoy said, "We say things about quite literally everybody." He said the nature of the site is to be an equal-opportunity provocateur, suggesting that the humor is not targeted at specific demographics with malice.

This public defense follows a volatile history for the company's ownership. Barstool Sports was previously sold for $551 million [1], only to be bought back by Portnoy for $1 [2]. The financial swings underscore the unconventional nature of the brand's business model and its reliance on Portnoy's personal image.

Reports on Portnoy's recent behavior vary. While PBS NewsHour said his explanation of the comedy website was calm, Mediaite said Portnoy lost his temper during a separate debate regarding Jewish jokes, where he reportedly shouted profanity.

Portnoy continues to position Barstool Sports as a disruptor in the media landscape. By defining the outlet's identity through comedy, he seeks to insulate the company from claims of systemic sexism or bias.

“"We say things about quite literally everybody."”

Portnoy's strategy relies on the 'equal opportunity offender' defense to protect the brand's commercial viability. By categorizing potentially offensive content as comedy, he attempts to shift the conversation from a debate over ethics and sexism to one about free speech and humor, maintaining a loyal audience that rejects traditional media standards.