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Barstool Sports has become a media empire.
Aside from their website, Barstool has taken over the most popular social media apps such as Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The company also has several popular podcasts and videos that cover topics from sports games to celebrity drama to the best pizza places.
The idea for Barstool Sports originated from founder and current chief of content, Dave Portnoy. Portnoy has grown into a popular figure on social media, himself — aside from his company’s successful platforms.
In 2003, Portnoy noticed a lack of help in the market for sports betting. He chose to create a local Boston sports newspaper and passed copies out at commuter stations.
He took the company online in 2007, which ultimately led to the growth of the company’s popularity.
As the company grew, it became bigger than Portnoy and sports. Over the years, he has recruited workers, whether college students, teenagers or just people with opinions on sports.
If a big personality emerges on a social media platform, Portnoy jumps on the opportunity to hire them.
Take, for example, Josh Richards and Brianna LaPaglia — better known as Brianna Chickenfry. Both had a strong following on TikTok, and then began a podcast with Portnoy called “BFFs.”
Both Richards and Chickenfry jumpstarted their careers on TikTok, as many current social media personalities have. So, Portnoy snatched them up along with their Gen Z audiences.
The podcast talks about the current “TikTok drama” that unfolds between these teenage stars, and through the connections they have, they bring in other celebrities to interview.
Barstool Sports often goes for the shock effect with their comedy. Many appreciate their humor, however, Barstool Sports has received backlash at times for being too offensive. But they rarely go back on what they say. The company is known for being provocative, and it embraces that.
The company’s model has led to spinoffs at many colleges and universities, including Lehigh, where I attend. The University of Alabama’s Barstool page has grown to more than 100,000 followers. These pages post student submissions and videos, usually with some comedic theme from parties, campus and bar life.
Barstool likes to keep things light-hearted and enjoyable for their audience while also remaining true to themselves. Their Instagram account, which is one of my favorites, is known to give a shout-out to other creators. They repost or even just feature original and hilarious content sent in by Barstool fans.
Whatever they post on one account shows up on all other platforms, too. Barstool Sports does a great job of staying active on all platforms and enhancing their social media accounts by featuring new people and new content every day.
While Barstool Sports can receive backlash and Dave Portnoy can be a controversial figure, the company continues to grow, reaching many new audiences on many different social media platforms.
