Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, is facing backlash on social media, after firing two waitresses and taking further action against the individuals involved in an incident Saturday, at his Barstool Sansom Street bar in Philadelphia, where a sign that read "Fuck the Jews," was displayed.
Barstool Sansom Street bar in a statement said, "We are saddened, embarrassed, and frustrated by the deplorable actions of a customer and misguided staff."
Portnoy, who is Jewish, said he became furious after friends informed him of a video clip of the incident posted on social media. He immediately launched an investigation and spoke to the patrons responsible. Two waitresses were fired. Portnoy said, "The employees complied with a customer’s request for a sign in connection with ordering bottle service."
Portnoy in an initial video posted on X, called the waitresses and patrons "antisemites" and "disgusting piece of shit." The Barstool Sports founder who appeared visibly upset, said "I’m 20 steps ahead, and I’m using everything [at my disposal]." He also said, "I’m going to make it my life’s fucking mission to ruin these people."
The outspoken Barstool Sports founder later said in another video, that he planned to send the individuals responsible to Auschwitz (in Poland) to learn about the Holocaust, aiming, he claimed, to turn the incident into a teaching moment. Rabbi David Kushner, a chaplain with the Philadelphia Police Department, spoke with Portnoy and commended his response.
However on Monday, Portnoy retracted the offer for Mo Khan, a Temple University student, after the 21-year-old denied responsibility and claimed he was acting as a "citizen journalist" when he uploaded video of the incident on social media.
Temple University has placed Mo Khan on interim suspension and is investigating the incident. President John Fry stated, "In the strongest terms possible, let me be clear: antisemitism is abhorrent. It has no place at Temple."
This incident has sparked widespread outrage online, with many slamming Portnoy for overreacting and trying to ruin the lives of the young employees and patrons over mere words. Many noted that the Barstool founder has in the past publicly condemned 'cancel culture' and censorship.
Portnoy mentioned in another video that he has experienced increased antisemitism in the past year and a half, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Mo Khan also referenced the Israeli-Palestine conflict in a video telling his side of the story. He accused Portnoy of trying to bully him and ruin his life.
