Dave Portnoy Biography: Age, Real Name, Career, Education, Parents, Height, Religion, Wife, Relationship, Children, Nationality, Net Worth

Early Life

Dave Portnoy was born on March 22, 1977, in Swampscott, Massachusetts. Now 48, he grew up in a Jewish family with his father, Michael (a lawyer), and mother, Linda (a teacher). Dave Portnoy attended Swampscott High School, where he was classmates with ESPN analyst Todd McShay. Later, Dave Portnoy graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in education. During college, Dave Portnoy launched a sports betting website called "thegamblingman.com".  

Career

After college, Dave Portnoy worked at a tech research company in Boston but left in 2004 to start Barstool Sports. It began as a free sports newspaper handed out on Boston streets, targeting young men with humor and bold takes. Early ads came from offshore gambling sites. The paper grew popular after adding bikini photos to the front page. By 2007, it became a blog, and Dave Portnoy adopted the persona “El Presidente,” known for his blunt style.  

Barstool expanded rapidly, becoming a hub for “bro culture.” In 2016, media mogul Peter Chernin bought a majority stake. Later, Penn Entertainment invested millions, but Dave Portnoy bought the company back in 2023 for $1. Dave Portnoy also hosts pizza review videos (One Bite Pizza Reviews), which made him a major food influencer. Dave Portnoy reviews can make pizzerias go viral overnight.  

Personal Life

Dave Portnoy married Renee in 2009, but they split in 2017. He dated model Silvana Mojica from 2021 to 2023. In 2019, Dave Portnoy claimed his net worth was around $100 million.  

Philanthropy

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dave Portnoy started the Barstool Fund, raising over $39 million to help struggling small businesses. In 2024, Dave Portnoy donated $277,000 to an Atlanta animal shelter and raised $1.5 million for the family of a slain NYPD officer.  

Politics

Dave Portnoy calls himself “socially liberal, fiscally conservative.” He supported Donald Trump in 2015 but later criticized Republicans over abortion rights. In 2013, Dave Portnoy briefly ran for Boston mayor as a libertarian but failed to qualify for the ballot.  

Controversies

Dave Portnoy is no stranger to backlash. In 2010, he joked that women wearing skinny jeans “deserve to be raped,” later calling it “a funny joke.” He’s also used racial slurs in old videos and clashed with unions, threatening to fire employees who organized. After legal warnings, Dave Portnoy sold “Union Buster” merch.  

Legal Issues

Dave Portnoy filed for bankruptcy in 2004 due to gambling debts. In 2015 and 2019, he was arrested protesting NFL policies. In 2021, Business Insider accused Dave Portnoy of sexual misconduct, which he denied, calling the reports “hit pieces.” Dave Portnoy lawsuit against the outlet was dismissed in 2022.  

Legacy

Love him or hate him, Dave Portnoy built Barstool Sports into a media giant. His pizza reviews, bold personality, and controversies keep him in the spotlight, making him one of America’s most polarizing figures.

Parents

Dave Portnoy was born to Michael Portnoy, a lawyer, and Linda Portnoy, a high school teacher. They raised him in Swampscott, Massachusetts, in a Jewish household.  

Family

Dave Portnoy has not publicly shared details about siblings or extended family. Dave Portnoy married Renee Portnoy in 2009, but they separated in 2017. He has no known children.  

Wife & Relationships

Dave Portnoy was married to Renee Portnoy for eight years (2009–2017). After their divorce, Dave Portnoy dated model Silvana Mojica from March 2021 to November 2023.  

Nationality

Dave Portnoy is American, born and raised in Swampscott, Massachusetts.  

Political Party & Politics

Dave Portnoy identifies as socially liberal and fiscally conservative. He briefly ran as a libertarian in Boston’s 2013 mayoral race but failed to qualify for the ballot. Dave Portnoy supported Donald Trump in 2016 but later criticized Republicans for opposing abortion rights.  

Height

Dave Portnoy stands 1.79 meters tall (approximately 5 feet 10 inches).  

Controversies

- Made offensive jokes about rape and used racial slurs in old videos.  

- Threatened to fire employees who discussed unionizing (2019).  

- Accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women (2021–2022); he denied the claims.  

- Arrested twice for protests at NFL events (2015, 2019).  

Business

Portnoy founded Barstool Sports in 2003, turning it into a major media brand focused on sports, pop culture, and humor. The company was sold to Penn Entertainment in 2020 but bought back by Dave Portnoy in 2023 for $1. Dave Portnoy also created One Bite Pizza Reviews, a viral pizza-rating show.  

Net Worth

In 2019, Dave Portnoy claimed his net worth was around $100 million, largely from Barstool Sports’ success.  

FAQs 

1. How old is Dave Portnoy?

- Dave Portnoy was born on March 22, 1977, making him 48 years old as of 2025. 

2. What is Dave Portnoy real name?

- Dave Portnoy full name is David Scott Portnoy.  

3. What is Dave Portnoy famous for?

- Dave Portnoy founded Barstool Sports, a popular media brand, and hosts the viral pizza-review show One Bite Pizza Reviews.  

4. Where did Dave Portnoy go to college?  

- Dave Portnoy graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in education.  

5. Who are Dave Portnoy parents?

- Dave Portnoy father, Michael Portnoy, was a lawyer, and his mother, Linda Portnoy, was a high school teacher.  

6. How tall is Dave Portnoy?

- Dave Portnoy is 1.79 meters tall (about 5 feet 10 inches).  

7. Does Dave Portnoy have siblings?  

- No publicly known siblings.  

8. Was Dave Portnoy married? 

- Yes, Dave Portnoy married Renee Portnoy in 2009, but they separated in 2017.  

9. Who is Dave Portnoy dating now?

- Dave Portnoy dated model Silvana Mojica from 2021 to 2023. Dave Portnoy is currently single.  

10. Does Dave Portnoy have children?

- No, Dave Portnoy has no known children.  

11. What is Dave Portnoy nationality? 

- Dave Portnoy is American, born and raised in Swampscott, Massachusetts.  

12. What is Dave Portnoy net worth?

- Dave Portnoy claimed a net worth of $100 million in 2019, mostly from Barstool Sports.  

13. What controversies is Dave Portnoy involved in?

- Joked about rape and used racial slurs in old videos.  

- Threatened to fire employees discussing unions (2019).  

- Accused of sexual misconduct (2021–2022; denied claims).  

- Arrested twice at NFL events (2015, 2019).  

14. What is Barstool Sports?  

- A media company Portnoy started in 2003. It began as a free Boston sports newspaper and grew into a blog/podcast empire focused on sports, humor, and pop culture.  

15. What is the Barstool Fund?

- A COVID-19 relief effort Portnoy started in 2020, raising $39+ million for struggling small businesses.