• Loading stock data...
Friday, April 4, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now
opinion
Tuned In

Jon Gruden Hire Showcases the Blurred Barstool-ESPN Lines

Gruden went from ESPN’s highest-paid talent to NFL coach, then, after resigning amid controversy, Barstool podcaster. Meanwhile, ESPN has made Pat McAfee a key host.

Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

When ESPN canceled the Barstool Van Talk late-night show in 2017, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy predicted his rebel outfit would become the “next” ESPN. Guess what? Seven years later, he looks prescient in form if not in scale. Barstool is becoming more like ESPN—while ESPN is becoming more like Barstool.

Their parallel universes collided once again Thursday when Barstool hired former ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported it was a multi-year deal.

Gruden was once the highest-paid talent at ESPN, eventually earning $6.5 million a year toward the end of a stint that lasted from 2009 to 2017. Meanwhile, former Barstool host Pat McAfee is now one of the biggest stars at ESPN, hosting his own eponymous weekday show and starring on College GameDay. Like Gruden before him, McAfee is now one of ESPN’s highest-paid talents, licensing his show for $17 million per year. The 37-year-old former punter appeals to the younger audience who likes Barstool. All legacy media companies are struggling to attract younger readers and viewers. That’s why McAfee can get away with antics like prompting LSU fans to shout an obscene chant live on the air.

Lest we forget, the new ESPN Bet is essentially a rebranding of Barstool’s old sports betting platform. Penn Entertainment bought Barstool for $550 million in hopes of galvanizing its users into placing bets. It then had to sell it back to Portnoy for a song when controversy around the brand made state licensing difficult. Penn then signed a 10-year, $2 billion deal to integrate its betting platform into ESPN as an official partner.

Barstool’s Pardon My Take podcast has become a popular hangout for ESPN stars past and present, ranging from Chris Berman to Booger McFarland and Skip Bayless. With John Skipper (who canceled Barstool Van Talk) and Portnoy critic Sam Ponder gone, there doesn’t seem to be as much animosity anymore between Barstool and ESPN, with Clay Travis’s Outkick serving as chief ESPN critic and adversary.

After watching Gruden’s YouTube channel, Portnoy said he reached out to the former Raiders coach. Over dinner in Orlando, the two hit it off. Negotiations went quickly.

“I think he’s going to be an unbelievable hire for us,” said Portnoy.

Why Gruden Fits at Barstool

It helps that Gruden and Barstool share an enemy in NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Gruden sued Goodell and the NFL, alleging the league deliberately leaked anti-gay, racist, and misogynist emails to destroy his coaching career. As Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk noted, Barstool/Portnoy occupy their own rung on the NFL’s “unofficial shit list.” Who can forget NFL security dragging Portnoy (who was wearing a Bobby Valentine–esque fake mustache to disguise himself) out of the 2019 Super Bowl? 

I think Gruden still wants to coach. It’s hard to know how long he stays with Barstool. In the meantime, however, Barstool has made the biggest hire in its history. Did anybody ever think a former Monday Night Football analyst would be chopping up games with the  Barstool crew?

As Barstool star PFT Commenter tweeted: “Me, coach Jon gruden, and max will be live streaming from the PMT couch commanders vs eagles for the top of the NFC East tonight. That is a sentence that would not of made any sense at all 10 years ago.”

Couldn’t agree more.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mar 31, 2025; Spokane, WA, USA; UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) makes a heart symbol to the crowd after a Elite 8 NCAA Tournament basketball game against the USC Trojans at Spokane Arena.

Women’s Hoops Keeps Climbing: Clark’s Boom to Bueckers’s Moment

This year’s tournament has averaged 967,000 viewers.
hard-knocks-2020

NFL Expands ‘Hard Knocks’ Pool of Teams: Who’s Eligible for 2025?

The NFL is relaxing rules surrounding its reality TV show.
Sep 16, 2023; Stanford, California, USA; Sacramento State Hornets players pose for a photo after the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium.

Sacramento State Applies for Waiver to Transition to FBS

The Hornets would need the NCAA to approve a waiver to switch to FBS.
ESPN headquarters
exclusive

ESPN Editor Leaves for Ring Mag Amid Cristina Daglas Investigation

Elizabeth Baugh had been at ESPN for nearly a decade.

Featured Today

Dec 27, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) skates during warm ups before their game against the Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center at San Jose

Macklin Celebrini and the Sharks Rookies Have Brought Good Vibes to a..

The rookie’s arrival has boosted spirits incongruously high inside the flagging franchise.
Mar 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
April 1, 2025

The Creator Behind the LeBron ‘Glazing’ Trend Sweeping TikTok

FOS spoke to TikTok user OkaySpade who made the original song.
Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; McNeese State Cowboys manager Amir Khan before a second round men’s NCAA Tournament game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Amica Mutual Pavilion
April 1, 2025

Inside the 24-Hour NIL March Madness Deals

Some of the most viral partnerships come together overnight.
Seattle Kraken
April 1, 2025

Samantha Holloway Is Seattle’s NHL Present—and Hopeful NBA Future

Samantha Holloway is steering the Kraken and hoping to revive pro hoops.
Dec 17, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; NFL Network personality Peter Schrager on the sidelines before a game between the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium.
April 1, 2025

ESPN Finalizes Deal With Peter Schrager

Schrager will appear across ESPN’s studio programming.
April 2, 2025

From NFL Draft Rights to Open Jobs: 7 Burning NFL Media Questions

Fox has a few significant openings—and some key free agents.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
exclusive
April 1, 2025

Boxing Reporter Mike Coppinger Leaves ESPN for Saudi Advisor’s Ring Magazine

Coppinger had been at ESPN since 2021.
exclusive
March 28, 2025

NFL Network’s Peter Schrager in Serious Talks With ESPN

Schrager is a co-host of Good Morning Football and Fox NFL contributor.
opinion
March 27, 2025

ESPN Has a Lot to Lose in LeBron–Stephen A. Smith War of..

Smith and James have blasted each other on ESPN platforms this week.
Mar 31, 2024; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Brahmas quarterback Chase Garbers (14) scores a touchdown between DC Defenders linebacker Anthony Hines III (57), defensive end Trent Harris (33), and cornerback Michael Joseph (15) in the second half at The Alamodome.
exclusive
March 27, 2025

What Fox, ESPN Will Do If UFL Players Go on Strike

Health insurance is a major sticking point among UFL players.