Dave Portnoy ‘Sad’ About Rumor That ‘Ruined’ College Girl’s Life

Dave Portnoy, the founding father of the favored web site Barstool Sports activities, is admitting his firm’s mistake in fueling a “vicious rumor” that virtually “ruined” an Ole Miss scholar’s life.

In a brand new interview, the outspoken character apologized and admitted he was “unhappy” in regards to the scenario after being requested what he’d wish to say to the household of Mary Kate Cornett, a scholar who needed to transfer off of campus after a number of media personalities amplified a rumor about her allegedly sleeping together with her boyfriend’s father.

Throughout an interview with NBC Information, Portnoy, 48, stated he understood why the household of Cornett, 19, can be “pis-ed” at him and his firm, including the rumors “virtually ruined” her life.

“I’d apologize,” he stated earlier than calling the story a “vicious rumor.”

He added, “I’m unhappy, and I want we didn’t play any half in it.”

Though Portnoy by no means posted something in regards to the story himself, two personalities affiliated together with his firm, Kevin Clancy and Jack McGuire, did.

Concerning their actions, Portnoy blasted them for being “actually silly.”

“I’ve been doing this a very long time,” Portnoy added. “I believed it was clearly a faux story. I believed we had been higher than that.”

Clancy, who’s no stranger to controversy, posted his personal apology video after Portnoy’s public assertion on behalf of his firm.

Within the video posted to X, previously Twitter, the 41-year-old, who made headlines in 2018 after revealing he cheated on his pregnant spouse, stated he was “genuinely sorry” to Cornett and her household and buddies.

Clancy referred to as his determination to have interaction in spreading a “salacious rumor” a “bonehead” determination that he regrets deeply.

Later, the content material creator with over 550,000 followers on-line talked about his personal daughter, acknowledging that somebody bringing mild to a nasty rumor on this manner can be hurtful.

“Professionally talking, I’m manner smarter than that. I’ve been doing this for a really very long time, and I do know higher to have interaction in gossip and salacious rumors, significantly about somebody who’s not within the public eye, not within the trade, only a common one who had a really nasty rumor made up about her,” he stated.

In 2018, Clancy’s spouse, Caitlin, blasted him on-line after she found he’d been dishonest on her together with his “mistress” since she was eight months pregnant.

“The sort, humorous, relatable household man I believed I married is clearly decrease, extra insecure and extra disrespectful than I ever imagined,” she wrote, per Page Six.

In a since-deleted apology video, Clancy opened up about his selections, calling himself a “coward” who behaved “like a boy once I ought to’ve behaved like a person.”

“All I can do now’s express regret. Whether or not or not I get that forgiveness, all I can do is act in a manner that is finest for my spouse and youngsters as a result of I did not achieve this previously,” he stated, per PEOPLE.

Portnoy, Clancy, and Barstool Sports activities aren’t the one public media figures apologizing for his or her wrongdoings.

Throughout his “Huge Evening Aht” present, Pat McAfee, who hosts the ESPN sequence “The Pat McAfee Present,” referenced his “present scenario” and stated he’d by no means need to deliver “destructive” consideration to an individual’s life.

“I’ve lots of people saying that I ought to be sued,” McAfee stated. “I need to say this: I by no means, ever need to be part of something destructive in anyone’s life, ever. That isn’t what I need to do.”

He added, “For that entire factor that’s taking place, I didn’t need to add any extra negativity because it was happening.”

Cornett opened as much as The Athletic about McAfee’s statements in early April 2025, saying she wished the speaking head held “accountable” for his actions.

“I would really like folks to be held accountable for what they’ve achieved,” she stated. “You’re ruining my life by speaking about it in your present for nothing however consideration, however right here I’m staying up till 5 within the morning, each night time, throwing up, not consuming as a result of I’m so anxious about what’s going to occur for the remainder of my life.”

The Blast beforehand reported about Portnoy’s latest problem with golf legend Tiger Woods, who got here ahead together with his relationship with President Donald Trump’s ex-daughter-in-law, Vanessa Trump.

In his publish, Woods stated he was enthusiastic about their future collectively earlier than asking the general public for “privateness.”

His request for discretion bothered Portnoy, who quoted the publish on X and blasted the champion for making a “ridiculous request.”

“Tiger asking for privateness for courting Don Jr.’s spouse is an all-time ridiculous request,” he shared.