Will Ben Mintz Firing Hurt The Barstool Brand?
Ben Mintz has been fired from Barstool. This isn’t breaking news by this point, but the shockwaves at Barstool are still being felt. I was finally able to listen to Dave Portnoy’s emergency press conference. In it, Portnoy brings up an interesting point I would like to touch on. Will the Mintz firing hurt the Barstool Sports Brand?
No One Else Was In The Room Where It Happens
Obviously, I don’t know what all happens behind closed doors between Portnoy and the higher-ups at Penn. If we assume everything that Portnoy said is true, then Penn was fearful that Ben Mintz accidentally saying a racial slur on his show could damage the company. Portnoy goes as far as to say states would pull Penn’s gambling licenses.
If this was the thought Penn came to, in their minds, the logical conclusion of firing Mintz in order to save the company. In contrast, Potnory claims that he feared in retaliation for the firing, Penn would be alienating the core of Barstool’s audience.
Portnoy has made it no secret that he despises cancel culture. He has appeared numerous times on national news networks such as Fox News to discuss the topic. Barstool even sold “cancel cancel culture” hoodies on their store, but Portnoy announced that they have been removed.
Apparently, the noise on the internet surrounding the Ben Mintz firing has been loud. Loud enough that even El Presidente himself might think there is already irreparable damage done to the Barstool brand.
Portnoy’s Point
Portnoy is not wrong about who the core audience of Barstool is. I mean, he founded the company and built it to where it is today. If anyone is going to understand what the people want, it’s him. Based on Portnoy’s language, he too might think this one incident could spell doom for the company.
Is Portnoy right? It’s hard to argue with such a significant figure in the company. On the one hand, Barstool Sports is one of the biggest internet brands there is. They’ve reached beyond just sports and have worked their way into multiple facets of life that non-sports lovers can find content to enjoy. It’s difficult to walk a college campus and not see a Barstool shirt or hoodie being worn.
The fate of the company really hangs in the balance. Does Barstool have enough stars to pull through? How many only have a following because they’re at Barstool? I’ve seen a lot of garbage podcasts on their platform. Hosts that have no sense of reality and are difficult to watch. There are a few good names, but are they enough?
Penn’s stock has dropped a little since the news of Mintz’s fate broke. Coincidence? Perhaps, or perhaps not. Either way, the Barstool brand might be at serious risk because of the firing of Ben Mintz.
