Barstool Sports Strikes Major Deal with UTA to Expand Hollywood Presence
2 min readBarstool Sports is making a significant move to leverage its influence in the sports and entertainment world by signing a substantial deal with United Talent Agency (UTA). This agreement aims to enhance Barstool’s financial standing and broaden its reach across various media platforms.
Barstool Sports, known for its extensive network of blogs, podcasts, and social media accounts, has amassed a large following, particularly among sports enthusiasts and the female dating demographic. Despite its popularity, the company has faced financial challenges. Last year, Penn Entertainment acquired Barstool, only to sell it back to founder Dave Portnoy for a symbolic $1 six months later. Penn Entertainment reported a $16 million loss for Barstool in the first half of 2023.
Barstool Sports goes Hollywood with massive UTA deal for ‘whole brand’ https://t.co/cKL66Hmcgk
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Now back under Portnoy’s ownership, Barstool is aiming to improve its financial health. A source close to the company suggests that the UTA deal is a strategic move to generate much-needed revenue. “It seems to me that [the UTA deal is due to] an obvious need to raise cash by BSS,” the source noted.
The deal with UTA will see the agency representing the entire Barstool brand, including Portnoy himself and all of Barstool’s podcast talent, in “all areas.” This comprehensive representation is expected to open new opportunities for Barstool in the entertainment industry, from television and film projects to brand partnerships and beyond.
One of Barstool’s most notable successes, the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, launched by Alex Cooper, became a sensation before Cooper signed a lucrative $60 million deal with Spotify in 2021. The new UTA partnership aims to prevent similar high-profile departures by offering better support and opportunities for Barstool’s talent.
Barstool has already seen some successful ventures, such as Dave Portnoy’s “One Bite Pizza Reviews,” which led to a collaboration with frozen food company Happi Foodi. Additionally, Barstool signed a deal with sports betting giant DraftKings in February, further expanding its business ventures.
Dave Portnoy founded Barstool Sports in 2003 in Massachusetts, and over the years, the company has grown into a major player in the sports and entertainment media landscape. With the new UTA deal, Barstool is poised to solidify its presence in Hollywood and potentially turn its substantial influence into significant financial gains.
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