The founder of Barstool Sports, Dave Portnoy, is facing backlash after he called for the murder of Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll in an outburst following an NFL game against the Denver Broncos.
“Murder Pete Carroll,” he said in a video posted to social media over the weekend. “I want Pete Carroll murdered.”
Multiple people have spoken out against the video on social media, with host of the podcast Kosher Money Eli Langer advising Portnoy to “retract the call for Pete’s murder.”
The incident has been highlighted in comparison to the unconnected arrest of a man who allegedly threw coins at Portnoy and shouted antisemitic abuse at him.
Newsweek has contacted Barstool Sports and the Las Vegas Raiders, via email outside of normal working hours, for comment on behalf of Portnoy and Carroll, as well as the NFL.
Why it Matters
Portnoy’s remarks have sparked debate over acceptable conduct in fan commentary and the potential real-world impacts of incendiary speech online.
The controversy also highlights growing concerns regarding the influence of betting interests on fan reactions and the integrity of sporting events, as well as the broader issue of violent rhetoric in digital spaces.
What To Know
Portnoy’s outburst followed the conclusion of the Raiders’ 24-17 loss to the Broncos on Sunday. In a post he wrote that the game was “the biggest rig job I’ve ever seen”, and called for an investigation of the NFL, coach Carroll and the Raiders.
In a video on the post he went further, saying: “That’s the worst beat of all time. You have to investigate the Raiders. Investigate the Raiders…Pete Carroll should be in f***ing prison. Prison for Pete Carroll…Murder Pete Carroll. I want Pete Carroll murdered.”
Several people who have spoken out against Portnoy’s rant referenced a recent incident in Mississippi, which saw 20-year-old student Patrick McClintock arrested on a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace after he allegedly threw coins at Portnoy and yelled “F*** the Jews.”
An account called Dissident West, an armchair political expert” said in a post on X: “Reminder that if you throw pennies at the ground and insult Dave Portnoy you’ll go to jail for it, but he can publicly call for the murder of someone and not face any legal consequences.”
The Starkville Police Department, which arrested McClintock, previously the Reflector student newspaper: “Every person has the right to feel safe and respected in our community. Offensive words alone are protected, but when behavior disrupts a public event or risks violence, the Starkville Police Department will take steps to help maintain safety and security.”
What People Are Saying
Mel (@Villgecrazylady) said in a post on X: “Portnoy just called for the murder of Pete Carroll. And literally nothing will happen. Remember this the next time he’s crying about people saying hurty words to him.”
Canncon (@CannConActual) said in a post on X: “Dave Portnoy calls for the murder of a coach to his millions of followers. Woah. This is the same guy who just had charges brought against a guy who allegedly threw a penny at him. That kid was kicked out of his university. This is a blatant crime. Will Portnoy be arrested???”
Langer commented on Portnoy’s post: “Dave, as a friend, I highly recommend retracting the call for Pete’s murder.”
What Happens Next
The episode is likely to intensify discussions about the obligations of media figures and the boundaries of acceptable discourse.
