The Chernin Group "has acquired a 51% stake in the website Barstool Sports," according to sources cited by Justin Kroll of VARIETY. The comedy, sports and lifestyle media content brand was started in '04 by David Portnoy and "has become one of the fastest growing sports websites in the past decade by delivering popular text, video and podcast content across its website, app and social platforms." The acquisition "was overseen" by TCG President of Digital Mike Kerns. Portnoy announced that Barstool's new HQ "would be based" in N.Y. Kerns and TCG President Jesse Jacobs will join Barstool’s BOD; Portnoy "will also continue to be on the board." Barstool Sports "has made its mark among a young male-skewing demographic and a very engaged audience across all digital platforms" (VARIETY.com, 1/7). Portnoy during a Q&A session broadcast on Periscope said that the deal "valued Barstool Sports" between $10-15M. In Boston, Curt Woodward noted Barstool "offers a mix of pugnacious sports blogging, recycled Internet ephemera, and scantily clad women to its audience." The website also was the subject of a "blistering" report Thursday on Sports Illustrated's The Cauldron "detailing in part how its fans revel in using social media to bombard women with misogynistic insults" (BOSTONGLOBE.com, 1/7).
