Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, is facing a difficult decision after former NBA guard and Barstool podcaster Patrick Beverley was arrested in Texas on a third-degree felony assault charge.
Despite the serious allegations, Portnoy has made it clear that he is not ready to sever ties with Beverley, choosing instead to wait for more clarity before taking any decisive action.
“We stick with our guys until there’s a reason not to,” Portnoy said Tuesday, adding, “yes, we will have Pat’s back.”
This cautious stance has sparked debate across the sports world, highlighting the tension between legal due process and public accountability.
He said he wants to wait until there’s more clarity before making any final decision, a stance that underscores how complicated the situation has become.
Portnoy’s defense and details of the incident
Former NBA player Patrick Beverley was arrested in Fort Bend County, Texas, on November 14, 2025. He faces a charge of assault involving a family member, specifically “impeding breath or circulation,” a third-degree felony under Texas law.
According to a probable-cause affidavit obtained by TMZ, Beverley‘s 15-year-old sister told authorities he “grabbed her by her neck with both hands … picked her up off the ground … she was losing oxygen … not able to breathe” for up to 20-30 seconds.
She also alleged he punched her once in the left eye, and said he threatened her life, warning he would be “the family relative to kill her.”
Responding deputies reported visible marks on her neck and “petechiae,” or small red spots, in the whites of her eyes.
After posting $40,000 bond, Beverley took to social media. “Please don’t believe everything you see on the internet. Hope all is wellLuv,” he wrote on X.
Later, Beverley posted a statement by his attorney, Letitia Quinones-Hollins, on his social media accounts that read:
“Patrick Beverley has no criminal record. He cares deeply about his little sister – a young lady, a minor. Given that, when he unexpectedly found her alone in the home with an 18-year-old man in the middle of the night, he was understandably concerned, as any brother would be about his sister.
“However, we don’t believe what followed happened the way it’s been described, and we look forward to the opportunity to address that in court.”
Portnoy, who has championed his own role at Barstool as “callit-as-he-sees-it,” acknowledged the gravity of the allegations but emphasized that the firm’s response will be measured. According to reporting, he believes that acting too hastily now, before legal due process plays out, could be premature.
It’s a high-stakes calculation for Barstool. On the one hand, Beverley has built a dedicated following on his podcast with Adam “Rone” Farrone, and his persona aligns with Barstool‘s rough-around-the-edges brand.
Barstool’s dilemma
Dave Portnoy‘s hesitancy here is consistent with how he’s navigated other controversies. In past situations, he’s defended figures on his platform until there’s a clearer picture, sometimes exposing Barstool to backlash.
The decision not to terminate Beverley immediately may be rooted in that same philosophy, balancing brand loyalty, legal risk, and public perception while avoiding a snap judgment.
