If you’re asking who runs barstool sports, the short answer is founder Dave Portnoy: he owns and controls the company. Penn Entertainment no longer owns Barstool, though its deal with Portnoy included a share of proceeds from a future sale or monetization.
That distinction matters because ownership, corporate control, and day-to-day content decisions are not the same thing. Here’s what changed, what Portnoy’s role means, and how to tell company leadership apart from the personalities who appear in Barstool shows.
Who runs barstool sports now?
Dave Portnoy is Barstool Sports’ owner and central decision-maker. He founded the company and regained ownership from Penn Entertainment in 2023. Barstool is a privately held company, so it does not publish the same level of detailed leadership and financial information as a publicly traded business.
Portnoy’s role is highly visible: he speaks publicly about the company, its business direction, and its content. But Barstool also relies on employees and talent who manage individual shows, reporting, sales, production, and other operations. A popular host is not automatically a company executive or owner.
How Dave Portnoy regained control
Barstool began as a Boston-based sports publication founded by Portnoy in 2003. Over time, it grew into a digital media company known for sports coverage, podcasts, video, and outspoken personalities. Its ownership changed as it expanded.
In 2020, Penn Entertainment acquired a majority stake in Barstool. Penn later took full ownership. The companies’ relationship changed again in August 2023, when Penn sold Barstool back to Portnoy for $1. The transaction returned ownership and control to him.
The deal also gave Penn a financial interest in a possible future transaction: Penn was entitled to 50% of gross proceeds Barstool received from a future sale or other monetization event. That provision does not mean Penn still owns or runs Barstool. It is a financial term attached to the buyback, not an ongoing management role.
Who owns Barstool, and who has influence?
Several roles can shape a media company, but they carry different authority. The table below separates Barstool’s ownership and control from other kinds of influence.
| Person or group | Role | What it means | Best way to understand it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dave Portnoy | Founder and owner | Controls Barstool after buying it back from Penn in 2023. | The central figure for ownership and company direction. |
| Penn Entertainment | Former owner; contract-related financial interest | Sold Barstool back to Portnoy and retained a right to part of certain future proceeds. | Not Barstool’s current owner or operator. |
| Hosts and creators | On-air and editorial talent | Make shows, posts, and other content; some may lead their own teams. | Influential in content, but not necessarily in corporate control. |
| Operational staff | Company employees and managers | Handle functions such as production, sales, marketing, and business operations. | Important to daily work, even when they are less publicly visible. |
Barstool’s private status also means there may be less public information about its internal reporting structure than readers expect. Executive titles and team responsibilities can change, so a current job title should be checked against a recent company announcement before being treated as definitive.
What did Penn Entertainment’s deal change?
Penn’s ownership period connected Barstool to a large casino and entertainment company. The 2023 buyback reversed that arrangement. Portnoy regained control, and Penn exited its ownership position.
Penn’s later sports-betting business should not be confused with Barstool ownership. Penn announced a separate partnership with ESPN for its betting operation after ending its Barstool relationship. ESPN does not own Barstool Sports, and Penn’s proceeds provision does not make it Barstool’s manager.
These distinctions help clear up a common misconception: a former business partner can retain a contractual right without retaining ownership. The practical question is who controls the company’s decisions today, and the 2023 transaction put that control back with Portnoy.
Who makes Barstool’s content?
Portnoy is the company’s best-known founder and public face, but Barstool’s output comes from a broader group. Writers, producers, editors, hosts, and other staff contribute to its articles, podcasts, video, and social media. Individual creators may have substantial influence over a particular show without having authority over the whole company.
That is why a viral clip or a host’s announcement does not, by itself, establish a change in ownership or leadership. For those questions, look for a direct company announcement or reliable reporting about a formal transaction or executive appointment.
How to verify who is in charge
If you see a claim that Barstool has a new owner or leader, use these checks before accepting it:
- Look for a formal ownership announcement. A change of ownership usually involves an explicit sale, acquisition, or transfer—not just a new show or partnership.
- Check the wording about control. “Partner,” “sponsor,” and “licensee” do not automatically mean “owner.” Read what the agreement says each party controls.
- Separate financial rights from management. A party’s right to receive money from a future transaction does not necessarily give it authority over current operations.
- Confirm that the information is current. Media companies change staff and titles. An old biography may describe a former role rather than the present structure.
This is especially useful when headlines mention Penn, ESPN, sports betting, or a Barstool personality. Those names can appear in the same story for different reasons, but they do not all point to the same kind of control.
The answer to who runs barstool sports is Dave Portnoy: he owns and controls the company after buying it back from Penn in 2023. Penn’s continuing contractual interest in certain future proceeds does not make it the current owner.
For the latest leadership details, check for a recent Barstool announcement or credible report, and pay attention to whether it describes ownership, an executive role, or a content partnership. Those terms refer to different kinds of influence.