Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has announced a unique alternative to traditional punishment after an antisemitic sign appeared at a Barstool-affiliated bar in Philadelphia.
The incident occurred at Barstool Sansom Street, where a group of patrons allegedly requested that a sign reading “F*** the Jews” be displayed. Portnoy, who is Jewish, responded with outrage in an emotional “emergency press conference,” initially promising harsh consequences. However, after further reflection, he chose a different route.
“I was furious when I first heard about it — you could’ve cooked an egg on my head, that’s how mad I was,” Portnoy said. “But the more I thought about it, these are young, drunk kids who made a horrible decision. Do I really want to ruin their lives?” 
Portnoy noted a troubling rise in antisemitism, especially over the last year, and said the hate he’s experienced personally is unlike anything he’s seen in his 20-year career. He expressed concern over how normalized antisemitic behavior has become.
Instead of pursuing harsher consequences, Portnoy announced he would send the individuals responsible on a trip to Auschwitz and other Holocaust sites in Germany. He hopes the experience will educate them on the horrors of the Holocaust and encourage deeper reflection on their actions.
“These kids have agreed to go. I’ve spoken with their families,” Portnoy explained. “They’re going to tour Auschwitz and concentration camps in Germany. Hopefully, they learn something. Maybe their lives aren’t ruined, and they think twice next time. That feels like a fair outcome to me.”
The two waitresses who approved and displayed the offensive sign have been terminated.
