- NCAA. Arch Manning's Defining Moment: Can He Lead Texas to SEC Prominence?
- NCAA. Kelly, Cooper Flagg's mother, picks up where Donna Kelce left off with Travis and Jason
Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, had a lot riding on Yale +12.5 against Texas A&M in their March Madness matchup. With the Aggies leading 80-69 and the game essentially decided, Portnoy watched in disbelief as Texas A&M's Hayden Hefner drove to the basket with just 23.3 seconds left instead of letting the clock run out.
Luckily for Portnoy, Hefner lost control of the ball under the basket, preventing a late score that could have jeopardized the bet for Yale backers. However, that didn't stop Portnoy from venting his frustration.
'That guy should be in prison'
Portnoy's reaction on a DraftKings live stream was instant and fiery. Sitting next to Dan "Big Cat" Katz, he expressed his anger at Hefner's decision.
"'What an a-hole,'" Portnoy said. "That guy is a piece of s-t. Who is that guy? That guy should be in prison."
Despite the brief scare, Yale managed to score in the closing seconds, finishing the game with an 80-71 loss and securing the +12.5 cover for Portnoy. The Barstool founder later took to social media to further express his frustration, writing:
"Whoever this kid on A&M is trying to score should be in prison. Almost backdoored me on Yale +12.5."
Portnoy's Gambling Obsession
Portnoy is well known for his high-stakes gambling habits, regularly placing substantial wagers on major sporting events. He has previously won-and lost-huge sums of money betting on the NFL, the Masters, and horse racing.
His bets on DraftKings serve a dual purpose, not just fueling his personal thrill but also acting as a promotional tool for Barstool Sports. The company maintains an exclusive multi-million-dollar betting partnership with the sportsbook, making Portnoy one of the most recognizable faces in sports gambling.
While Portnoy ultimately walked away with a win on Yale's cover, his reaction proves that even the smallest in-game decisions can create high-stakes drama for sports bettors.