Barstool’s Dave Portnoy Rejects Collaboration with Maine Senate Candidate Linked to Controversy

Dave Portnoy, known as the “Presidente” of Barstool Sports, criticized a political strategist tied to Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner. This criticism came following a proposal for a collaboration centered around a Boston sports-themed advertisement.

The ad produced by Platner targeted private equity firms involved in managing the Boston Red Sox. John Henry II’s Fenway Sports Group owns the team, and investors include private equity firms, as well as a stake in NASCAR’s RFK Racing team.

Jeff Coote, a political strategist, reached out to Portnoy to inform him about the ad and inquire about potential collaboration with Platner. The ad called attention to the influence of private equity in sports and labeled John Henry as a ‘big bad’ figure. Portnoy later shared their email conversation on social media.

“Hey Dave, something different for you,” Coote wrote, describing the ad as an example of Platner’s “populist streak.” He emphasized themes that resonate with people upset about the Red Sox management.

Despite Coote’s suggestion, Portnoy expressed strong disinterest in collaborating with Platner, citing his past controversies. Platner has been criticized for a tattoo linked to German Nazi symbols, which drew backlash from various groups, including GOP veterans.

In a charged exchange, Portnoy responded to Coote’s suggestion by highlighting Platner’s controversial associations and dismissing his interest in the baseball topic. He questioned Coote’s judgment in approaching him for collaboration.

The contested ad criticized Fenway’s management, associating it with what Platner called the “private equity curse.” This referenced RedBird Partners’ acquisition of an 11% stake in Fenway in 2021, a move he likened to the Red Sox’s previous trade of a star player to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

On social media, Platner linked NESN’s decision to pull the ad mid-broadcast to the Red Sox losing a significant lead in a game, further perpetuating his narrative on the impact of private equity.

Fox News Digital reached out to the involved parties for comments. The network noted that it regularly reviews ads for concerns related to intellectual property.

The ad concluded with Platner pledging to reverse this supposed curse, pointing out his dissatisfaction with the current state of the Red Sox.