Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy was the top trending topic on Twitter for a large portion of Tuesday, and he got there after being called out by US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez over his anti-union stance.
Portnoy has joked (?) many times in the past that he would crush any efforts his employees make to unionize. After the editorial staff of The Ringer announced on Monday that they are unionizing, he reminded his employees that his thoughts on the topic have not changed. In fact, he said any employee of Barstool who explores the possibility of forming a union will be fired.
If you work for @barstoolsports and DM this man I will fire you on the spot https://t.co/u9vG3VgfV1
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) August 13, 2019
If you’re familiar with Portnoy and his style, none of this will surprise you. Portnoy is willing to say just about anything if he thinks it will lead to good content, but even he probably never expected a direct response from Ocasio-Cortez.
If you’re a boss tweeting firing threats to employees trying to unionize, you are likely breaking the law &can be sued,in your words, “on the spot.”
ALL workers in the US have the protected freedom to organize for better conditions.
See @NLRB &union orgs like @AFLCIO for tips. https://t.co/bU7WlHrp1d
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 13, 2019
Things blew up even more from there.
Bad Boss Example #1.
The NLRA prohibits bosses from engaging in unfair labor practices including "interfering with the formation or administration of any labor organization." #1u https://t.co/fUWzbcRCep
— AFL-CIO (@AFLCIO) August 13, 2019
Of course, Portnoy has shown no sign of backing down. When former NHL player Ryan Whitney pointed out that the NHL Players Association helped him and fellow Barstool employee and former NHL’er Paul Bissonnette during their playing careers, Portnoy responded that he will “crush you like a grape.” He also faced angry mobs on Twitter the only way he knows how.
*Also making money on the free labor and clicks of those who want to unionize against me. https://t.co/miMtyZm6PV
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) August 13, 2019
Remember, this is the same Portnoy who happily got arrested at the Super Bowl last year for supporting his hometown New England Patriots. For better or worse, his willingness to take on people like AOC has turned his company into a media juggernaut.
