American businessman and Barstool Sports founder David Portnoy has left the internet buzzing after revealing he still allows his ex-wife, Renee Portnoy, unfettered access to his bank account, despite their divorce eight years ago.
In a candid sit-down on the Club Shay Shay podcast with host Shannon Sharpe, Portnoy stunned listeners with his unshaken trust in Renee, describing her not only as his ex but also as his lifelong confidante and best friend.
Portnoy stated that his ex-wife, Renee, was his best friend and was by his side when he began the company. He said that if Renee needed anything, he would be more than willing to support her.
“She’s still my best friend; we get along. But she was with me at the beginning of this company, and if she called me right now and is like, ‘I need you,’ I’d be there. It just didn’t work as a marriage,” he said.
Portnoy, who built Barstool Sports from scratch into a multimillion-dollar empire, credited Renee for being by his side during the tough early days.
He recalled how they once lived with her parents, splitting hamburgers when they couldn’t afford two. For him, those memories sealed her role in his financial success story.
“She was there when I had nothing, living with her parents, sharing meals. If she called me right now and said, ‘I need you,’ I’d drop everything for her. It just didn’t work as a marriage,” he explained.
Married in 2009 and separated in 2017, the pair have remained unusually close. Portnoy revealed he wouldn’t mind even if Renee, now reportedly in another relationship, used his money for a lavish wedding.
“I want her to be happy. If she wants to throw an extravagant wedding with my money, let her. I wouldn’t miss it anyway.”
Online, opinions were deeply divided. Some applauded his loyalty and generosity, while others questioned his judgment. “She must have something on him,” one user speculated. Another quipped, “If she was there when you couldn’t afford a hamburger, this makes sense.”
Others, though, were far more impressed. “Does he have a brother? Where do I find such a man?” one admirer gushed.
But for Portnoy, it’s simple: Renee earned her place in his life—and his fortune. “She rode the grind with me when Barstool was nothing. So in my mind, she’s entitled to enjoy the fruits of it.”