Barstool vs. Roger Goodell: NFL denies Dave Portnoy $250,000 charity bid due to ‘failed background check’

A $250,000 bid toward coronavirus relief wasn’t enough to get Dave Portnoy into Roger Goodell’s home.

Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, has been a longtime public critic of the NFL commissioner. Goodell auctioned a chance to watch a Monday Night Football game with him in his basement man cave. Portnoy had the highest bid and gleefully announced he’d won the auction while wearing a “Fire Goodell” hat on May 11.

But the Sports Business Journal reported that Portnoy failed “background check” negating his win. The SBJ tweeted:

“The #NFL will not allow Barstool’s Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) to watch a “MNF” game with Roger Goodell after Portnoy failed a background check by the league. Portnoy was the highest bidder for the experience in an auction this spring. More details: https://sbjsbd.biz/3cfiohq”

NFL VP/Communications Brian McCarthy told SBJ Portnoy’s multiple encounters with NFL security and his 2015 arrest for trespassing at NFL Headquarters during deflate game contributed to the failed test.

“He was the highest bidder, but the bid was contingent upon a background check,” McCarthy said. “So he consented to the background check, and it came back and he heard from the NFL today that he did not pass the background check. He will not be the winner.”

SBJ reported that the NFL will donate the $250,000 in place of Portnoy.

Portnoy posted an angry video to Twitter:

Portnoy said:

“Two-hundred and fifty grand to charity, I won it fair and square, and they say no. Why? Because they’re afraid of me. They’re afraid of the brain, and they’re not going to have some fun with it. So, f*** you, Roger Goodell. By the way, don’t do charities and let the guy win it who you don’t want to win it. That’s on you.”

Portnoy, the controversial founder of Barstool Sports has been personally critical of the NFL commissioner and Barstool helped strengthen its already popular brand in New England attacking Goodell while defending Brady during Deflategate. Portnoy was kicked out of the Super Bowl and banned from NFL Media Night.

Portnoy created and distributed 70,000 towels featuring Goodell’s face with a clown nose and distributed them at Gillette Stadium. The same image was sold on T-shirts, mugs and other souvenirs.

Portnoy, who had promised to record the encounter and grill Goodell about Deflategate, predicted his victory would be nullified on May 18. He told FOX 25′s Tom Leyden:

“Somebody is going to call me from the NFL, I believe, and say, ‘Hey Dave, you’re disqualified,’” Portnoy said. “There is a disclaimer that says they can get rid of you for any reason. A lot of people, including myself, have said if Roger Goodell had an ounce of awareness or humility he could play this into a win.

“Because whether he likes us or not, we’re a big enough media organization that he could have a laugh and make fun of himself and be (self)-deprecating. But I don’t think he’s going to do that. He’s never shown any ability to do that with us.”

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Barstool vs. Roger Goodell: Dave Portnoy won charity auction, will NFL commissioner allow him into his home?

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