Dave Portnoy regrets Barstool Sports activities’ function in ‘vicious rumor’ that Ole Miss pupil says ruined her life

The founding father of Barstool Sports activities needs to apologize to the faculty freshman who was the sufferer of a false viral rumor amplified by two personalities affiliated with the favored sports activities web site, he mentioned Thursday.  

Dave Portnoy mentioned he understood why the household of Mary Kate Cornett, who informed NBC Information earlier this month that the false claims had “virtually ruined” her life, was “pissed.” 

“It’s a vicious rumor,” he mentioned. “I’m unhappy, and I want we didn’t play any half in it.” 

The false claims about Cornett, a 19-year-old pupil on the College of Mississippi, have been circulating on-line when ESPN host and analyst Pat McAfee mentioned them throughout a present in February.  

McAfee didn’t identify Cornett however mentioned a rumor about an Ole Miss pupil sleeping together with her boyfriend’s father.  

He attributed the claims to “all people on the web.” 

After McAfee shared a clip of the dialogue together with his 3.2 million followers on X, at the least two folks related to Barstool Sports activities referenced the rumor in posts on their private X accounts which have since been deleted. 

In a press release earlier this month to Rolling Stone, Portnoy denied his web site’s involvement in selling the rumor — which he mentioned was probably “fabricated” — and mentioned one among his staff “posted on one thing on their private socials however we don’t management these.” 

In an interview with NBC Information, Portnoy mentioned that he needed to “throw up” after studying his web site was related to the rumor. 

“Morally we have been mistaken,” he mentioned Thursday. “I used to be bragging that morally I assumed we have been proper.” 

Portnoy mentioned he hopes to satisfy with Cornett’s household, although he mentioned he’s undecided “how you set the toothpaste again within the tube.” 

Portnoy mentioned his legal professionals and Cornett’s legal professionals have been in communication and that Cornett’s legal professionals provided two paths — a lawsuit or mediation. He mentioned he deliberate to pursue mediation.  

Cornett’s household declined to remark.  

Her household’s lawyer has beforehand mentioned she believes Cornett was the sufferer of cyberbullying and has grounds for a defamation swimsuit.  

Cornett beforehand informed NBC Information that she and her household have been harassed and confronted a barrage of insults within the weeks after the rumor took maintain.  

“All of it occurred so quick,” Cornett mentioned. “I used to be simply in shambles. I simply felt so helpless and so alone as a result of so many individuals have been hating on me for one thing that I had no thought something about.”  

McAfee and his legal professional haven’t responded to requests for remark. ESPN didn’t reply to request for remark.  

However throughout a present Wednesday, he described being sued by former soccer star Brett Favre and mentioned: “I’m cool with Brett. Identical to the present state of affairs that’s taking place the place I’ve lots of people saying that I ought to be sued. I wish to say this, I by no means ever wish to be part of something damaging in anyone’s life.” 

“We’ll attempt to determine that out and make some type of silver lining in a really horrible state of affairs,” he mentioned. “So, you may have that promise from me. It gained’t be as inconceivable to be a fan of mine going ahead.”