Netflix has gone into business with Dave Portnoy, with a deal that will bring the “unfiltered commentary” of Barstool Sports’ podcast personalities to viewers worldwide.
Under its multiyear pact with Barstool, Netflix has exclusive rights to video versions of a trio of the digital media company’s popular podcasts: “Pardon My Take,” “The Ryen Russillo Podcast” and Spittin’ Chiclets.” . The video versions of the three Barstool sports shows will be available Netflix starting in early 2026. That means full video episodes of the podcasts will no longer be available on YouTube as of next year. Netflix will launch them initially in the U.S., to be followed by additional markets.
Netflix’s Barstool Sports deal covers all new episodes from the podcasts as well as select library episodes from each show. The audio versions of each podcast will continue to be available across major platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Portnoy, founder and owner of Barstool Sports, said in a statement, “We’re excited to partner with Netflix and hopefully bring new audiences to each platform.”
It’s the latest move by Netflix to bulk up its podcast programming lineup. To date, the company has cut two other licensing deals to bring video podcasts to its subscribers — with Spotify, for shows including “The Bill Simmons Podcast” and “The Rewatchables”; and with iHeartMedia, for at least 15 podcasts including radio talk show “The Breakfast Club” co-hosted by Charlamange tha God.
“We’re thrilled to team up with Barstool Sports and bring their top video podcasts to Netflix,” Lauren Smith, Netflix VP of content licensing and programming strategy, said in a statement. “This partnership broadens how our members connect with Barstool’s leading sports voices and delivers exactly what our members crave: unfiltered commentary, sharp takes and undeniable humor. We look forward to giving fans another exciting way to engage with the conversations they love on Netflix.”
“Pardon My Take,” Barstool’s top-ranked sports podcast, is hosted by Big Cat and PFT Commenter, who provide “sharp sports commentary and fan-favorite segments,” according to the companies. “The Ryen Russillo Show” features the host’s sports analysis and conversations with guests, while on “Spittin’ Chiclets,” Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette and Rear Admiral cover the latest news and trends from the NHL along with “their trademark pop-culture insights.”
UTA reps Barstool Sports and brokered the deal with Netflix.
Portnoy founded Barstool in 2002. In 2016 he sold majority control of the company to Peter Chernin’s Chernin Group before casino and online gambling company Penn Entertainment acquired Barstool. Just months after Penn Entertainment bought 100% control of Barstool in 2023, Portnoy bought it back from Penn for $1. That came as Penn entered into a major deal with ESPN to rebrand its online sports-betting business from Barstool Sportsbook to ESPN Bet. As of Dec. 1, ESPN terminated its deal with Penn and shut down ESPN Bet; the sports giant inked a new agreement making DraftKings the exclusive “official sportsbook and odds provider of ESPN.”
