Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy In Controversy Over Magazine Cover

Wherever Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy goes, controversy always follows. His latest bit of controversy involves Portnoy on the cover of Nantucket Magazine. He was featured in the magazine for his relief efforts for small businesses. Apparently the residents of Nantucket were not happy about Portnoy being on the cover.

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N Magazine recently apologized for featuring Dave Portnoy on its May cover.

Portnoy wasn’t too happy about it.

Via Page Six:

“There’s a storm brewing in Nantucket over a local cover story on Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy — who tells Page Six that anyone who was offended by the piece can “go f–k themselves.”

The exclusive enclave’s glossy N Magazine recently apologized for featuring Portnoy on its May cover — after receiving backlash from readers — in a move Portnoy calls “spineless.”

Publisher Bruce Percelay and editor Robert Cocuzzo released a statement on Friday saying that since the issue — which features a glowing profile on Portnoy’s charity effort to raise money for small businesses — was published, they’ve “heard from various members of our community who vehemently object.” They added, “[W]e formally apologize for any pain caused to those who have objected to this May cover.””

Here’s the apology:

“To our readers,

Since releasing our May issue a week ago, we have heard from various members of our community who vehemently object to our current cover featuring Dave Portnoy. While the story was intended to highlight Mr. Portnoy’s work in support of small businesses, a number of people in the community have taken issue with offensive remarks and actions he has made in the past. We never want to hurt, offend or disappoint any of our readers with the stories we publish. Accordingly, we formally apologize for any pain caused to those who have objected to this May cover.

As a media outlet, our stories are never endorsements of our subjects. We have featured politicians from both sides of the aisle, media and sports personalities, and sometimes controversial public figures whose actions and opinions are entirely their own. Our objective is to report on stories that we feel are relevant to our readers and to Nantucket.

In the case of Mr. Portnoy, a Nantucket homeowner who has been previously profiled extensively by other publications on the island and has collaborated with a number of Nantucket businesses, we felt his recent fundraising for small businesses was timely news. We now recognize and acknowledge our oversight in how this story would be received. We appreciate feedback, positive or otherwise, because ultimately it helps make us a better publication going forward.

For nearly twenty years, N Magazine has been devoted to improving life on the island, from highlighting inspiring stories to supporting local nonprofits. We remain committed to this mission and to serving the interests of our readers.”

Portnoy is just one of those guys who are always going to be a magnet for controversy.

He’s one polarizing dude.

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