We now have confirmation: Barstool Sports isn't close to a partnership with Major League Baseball after all.
Dave Portnoy appeared on "The Greg Hill Show" Wednesday as part of the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon, and was asked about the status of negotiations. He says they've been stagnant since the New York Post reported the two sides were nearing an agreement on Aug. 9.
"I'd love to do it. I think it would be good for baseball. I think we would cover it in a way that's totally unique and appeals to a younger demo," Portnoy said. "But if I had to put a number on it, I'd say 10%. I'd be stunned if it still happens, because Major League Baseball, which is traditionally conservative, would have to be like, 'Yep, we know we're going to get some complaints, but we're OK with it.'"
Portnoy also distanced himself from the Post report, saying the two sides were never on the cusp of a deal for Barstool to broadcast midweek games.
"The story that was leaked in the New York Post, we weren't close to signing a deal yet, but the conversations were definitely going," he said. "My guess is, somebody wanted to leak a weather balloon and be like, 'How much backlash are we going to get from the same group who whenever [Barstool] does anything, is basically like, these guys stink.'"
Last week, MLB sources pushed back on the story. Sports media reporter A.J. Perez quoted two sources were said the league never seriously considered a partnership with Barstool.
The idea of MLB floating out the Barstool story as a trial balloon makes sense, since Perez also reports league executives were weary of possible backlash.
Despite being one of the most valuable sports media properties out there, Barstool can't shed its reputation for misogyny and smut — at least in blue checkmark media circles.
"Barstool is a lightning rod for so many people. I've never totally understood it," Portnoy said. "There is, especially in today's world, tons of people who love us, and I would saw a small vocal minority that despises us. Even when that leaked out — 'Hey, Barstool might cover Major League Baseball' — the people who don't like us, probably 99% of them don't watch sports anyway, went absolutely bananas. I think there's a chance, but there's still a long way to go."
