Dave Portnoy in a blue suit

Dave Portnoy Of Barstool Sports Reveals Nasty Scar Due To Cancer Diagnosis

Home / Entertainment / Dave Portnoy Of Barstool Sports Reveals Nasty Scar Due To Cancer Diagnosis

By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on June 20, 2024 at 3:00 PM EDT

Dave Portnoy, 47, is best known as the founder of Barstool Sports. The company began in 2003 as a print publication in Boston, offering gambling advertisements and fantasy sports projections.

In 2007, Barstool gained popularity as it transitioned to an online platform. Barstool Sports has grown into a multimedia empire, producing blogs, videos, podcasts, and even hosting live events.

As the publication continues to grow, more and more fans follow both Barstool Sports and founder Dave Portnoy, who recently revealed he had cancer.

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Barstool Sports Founder Reveals He Had Cancer

The founder of Barstool Sports recently revealed in an X post, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that he had cancer, and luckily, he beat it.

“I did have cancer. I beat it,” Portnoy wrote in the caption of a video discussing his diagnosis with Barstool personality Rico Bosco.

In the video, he told Bosco, “It wasn’t the serious kind, thank god. I can’t tell if Bosco thinks cancer is funny or not," pointing out a bandage on his neck. “I didn’t know,” Bosco replied.

“I’ve got a scar going all the way down my neck. I look like Frankenstein,” Portnoy said.

“You gonna be alright?” Bosco then asked, to which the 47-year-old replied, “Yeah, I’m gonna make it."

While the Barstool Sports founder did not reveal what type of cancer he had, The New York Post says Portnoy had skin cancer.

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Fans Are Glad To Hear Dave Portnoy Beat Cancer

After hearing the news, many of Dave Portnoy's fans sent the Barstool Sports founder well wishes.

"Glad to hear it, and beating cancer is always worth celebrating," one X user wrote. "The W's continue!"

"God is good my brother! Happy to hear you beat it!" another said.

"Yeah, Dave; regardless of the severity, happy for you, brother. My daughter (16) was diagnosed with a terminal cancer early this year," one fan said. "We're taking things one day at a time and enjoying the small things in life together. Stay blessed!"

"Congrats on beating cancer, Dave!" one X user expressed.

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Prayers Are Sent To The Barstool Sports Founder

Several others said they were sending prayers to Portnoy after hearing the news. "Glad to hear you are now well! Continued prayers for good health!" one X user said.

"I'm not joking I'm glad you got it taken care of and beat it," another shared. "My grandmother didn't beat her battle with Lung Cancer, so I'm grateful and glad you beat yours. This should be taken seriously, and we should be grateful for your current health and for being healthy now."

"Wow. Thank God you beat it," one social media user said.

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Dave Portnoy Faces Backlash

Dave Portnoy has been involved in numerous controversies throughout his career, often stemming from the content produced by Barstool Sports or his personal remarks. These controversies have included accusations of misogyny, harassment, and inappropriate behavior.

Despite the backlash, Portnoy and Barstool Sports have maintained a loyal following.

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Barstool Pizza Review

The most recent pizza parlor Dave Portnoy visited was Christo’s Restaurant & Bar in Wallingford, CT, where he gave the slice an 8.3, but the rating was not the only thing to catch fans' eyes. They also loved seeing how "wonderful" the family owners were.

"One of the best reviews of the year," one of Portnoy's followers wrote after seeing the video.

"This is what I imagine all pizza-owner families to be like. These were the best reviews awesome choice on going out to the brother," another said.

"Seriously, I would just go there for their personalities!!" one follower said. "Got to love a good Dave Portnoy review!" another social media user wrote.

Out of the thousands of pizza shops Portnoy has visited, only one place has gotten a perfect 10/10 -- Monte's Restaurant in Lynn, MA.

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