Dave Portnoy Blasts Mamdani, Threatens to Pull Barstool Sports from NYC [WATCH]

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy said he is considering closing the company’s New York City office following the election of Zohran Mamdani, calling the newly elected mayor a “Communist” who “hates America.”

During a YouTube livestream last week, held ahead of Mamdani’s victory on Tuesday, Portnoy said he has given serious thought to moving the company out of Manhattan because of the city’s new political direction.

“I hate the guy,” Portnoy said. “I can’t stand the thought of him running New York City. I can’t stand it.”

He continued, “Thirty-something-year-old Communist running New York City who’s never had a job in his life, hates America — doesn’t seem like the best.”

Portnoy said he has discussed potential relocation plans with Barstool’s finance team and is weighing whether to move the office to nearby New Jersey cities such as Hoboken or Jersey City.

“I don’t want to f**king have an office [in Manhattan],” Portnoy said during the livestream.

“But then we have all those people who, like, that f**ked up their life because I hate the guy. Like, all the people in the New York office have to go to Jersey City or … Hoboken. So it’s a Catch-22.”

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He added that he has directed company staff to begin exploring new office spaces outside New York City.

“A part of me is like, how much will actually change? But I really have given it thought,” Portnoy said.

“I told our finance guys to start looking around for property, no joke. Take a principled stand.”

Mamdani, a New York state assemblyman born in Uganda, campaigned on a platform of progressive economic reforms that include rent freezes, city-run grocery stores, and expanded public housing. Supporters of his agenda said the policies would create greater equity and affordability across the city, while critics warned they could discourage investment and drive employers to leave.

Portnoy’s comments echoed concerns voiced by business owners who have expressed skepticism about Mamdani’s economic proposals. Some said the measures could harm small businesses and deter future corporate growth in New York City.

Following Mamdani’s election victory on Tuesday, Portnoy posted on X, “But if this is what the people of NYC want than so be it. Thank god I don’t live there anymore.”

Scott Jennings sums up Mamdani perfectly. But if this is what the people of NYC want than so be it. Thank god I don’t live there anymore. https://t.co/4rfDZqs0rJ

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) November 5, 2025

Portnoy has been a frequent critic of left-leaning politicians and has used his platforms to speak out against policies he views as harmful to free enterprise.

In a July interview with FOX Business, he described Mamdani as “one of the worst, scariest candidates.”

“He hates capitalism, he wants a fundamental shift in what has built this country, and he doesn’t really particularly hide it,” Portnoy said in that interview.

Mamdani’s win marks a significant political shift in New York City, where he campaigned on an explicitly socialist platform and pledged to use city government to impose new rent controls and expand public services.

Barstool Sports, which Portnoy founded in 2003, moved into its Manhattan office several years ago after expanding from an online sports blog into a multimedia company.

The company employs dozens of staff in New York and operates additional offices across the country.

Portnoy did not specify when a final decision on relocation might be made but confirmed that discussions about leaving New York City are ongoing.

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