The Barstool Sports logo is featured above the Breakers' name on the club's jersey. GETTY IMAGES
National Basketball League side New Zealand Breakers CEO Matt Walsh is "defending a decision to have a controversial website as a sponsor" on the club's jersey, according to the NEW ZEALAND HERALD. Barstool Sports has been criticized in the past for "offensive content." Founder Dave Portnoy has "landed himself in hot water regularly," including for a comment on the site suggesting "size six women who wear skinny jeans deserve to be raped." Portnoy was "recently accused of allegedly promoting social-media harassment towards female sports writers." Walsh said that there are "no regrets" with the Barstool Sports partnership. He added that Bartstool Sports employees may say things he does not agree with, but he is "proud to be associated with the company." Walsh: "Barstool Sports is a comedy site that produces content 24/7, 365 days a year, based on satire. Do I agree with everything that they produce and all the content they produce? Absolutely not. I understand that they produce content and employees of their company may say things that I don't agree with but I don't believe that's what the partnership is about" (NZ HERALD, 10/9). The Walsh-led consortium that owns the Breakers also includes Dan Katz, Henry Lockwood and PFT Commenter of Barstool podcast "Pardon My Take" (SBD Global).
