Anybody would love to work in the Trump Administration, this was a mistake.
Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, recently revealed that he was offered an official position in the Trump administration. During a segment on his show, Davey Day Trader Global, Portnoy shared that the government had approached him with an offer to join the Department of Commerce. Specifically, he was asked to work under Secretary Howard Lutnick, although he would have had to step away from his role at Barstool Sports.
Portnoy explained that he received the offer a couple of months ago, though details about the timing were vague. The offer came with the caveat that he would need to find someone to take over Barstool’s operations, as government positions typically require full-time dedication. However, Portnoy emphasized that despite the initial discussions, the government never followed up with any further steps. “They said, ‘Let us know if you find someone to run Barstool and if you’re interested, we’ll set up a call.’ But that call never came,” Portnoy said.
As an outspoken supporter of President Trump, Portnoy’s potential move to the Department of Commerce would have been a significant shift in his career. He has long been a critic of government interference in the free market and has publicly supported policies that promote economic freedom, which aligns with the values of many conservative Americans.
Portnoy’s journey with Barstool Sports has been marked by major changes. He founded the company in 2003, later sold a majority stake to The Chernin Group in 2016, and in 2023, he bought it back for just $1 from Penn National. He has made it clear that he has no plans to sell the company again, despite the challenges the company faced when Penn National attempted to merge it with its sports betting operations.
His story represents the values of entrepreneurship and independence, echoing the American spirit of self-reliance and resilience. With a proven track record of navigating both business and political landscapes, Portnoy’s story is one of defying the odds, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of individual liberty and free-market principles.