NFL Announces Massive Decision On Dave Portnoy’s Super Bowl Ban
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Dave Portnoy says the long tension between Barstool Sports and the NFL might finally be ending. On Monday, he shared that the league appears to have lifted its nearly nine-year ban on his company.
Portnoy posted the news on X as his New England Patriots get ready for a Super Bowl run. The timing feels especially big for him, both as a media figure and a lifelong Patriots fan.
“I’m hearing that the NFL ban on Barstool Sports has been lifted,” Portnoy wrote. “It’s not 100% confirmed yet, but the Cold War may be over.”
He joked that it felt like the ending of Rocky IV, pointing to how long and public the problem has been.
Portnoy’s Feud Born From Deflategate
Dave Portnoy’s long fight with the NFL started in 2015 during the Deflategate scandal involving Tom Brady. That year, Portnoy and three Barstool Sports employees protested at NFL headquarters in New York.
They handcuffed themselves to the lobby floor and refused to leave. Police eventually arrested them. The protest drew national attention and upset league officials.
Breaking: I’m hearing that the NFL ban on Barstool Sports has been lifted. It feels like the end of Rocky IV. This hasn’t been 100% confirmed but the Cold War may be over.
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) January 26, 2026
After that, the NFL cut ties with Barstool and Portnoy. League officials said they would not give credentials to people involved in “those kinds of stunts.” That decision kept Barstool staff out of NFL events, including Super Bowl week.
The ban also blocked Barstool from Radio Row, an important media area during Super Bowl coverage. Even as Barstool grew into a top brand, the NFL kept its distance for years.
Now, that appears to be changing. Portnoy said the league and Barstool have moved on from the dispute. The NFL has not officially commented.
The timing is notable. The Patriots are back on top this season. New England surprised the league under head coach Mike Vrabel. They won the AFC title with a 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos.
Quarterback Drake Maye led the team in freezing conditions at Mile High Stadium. The Patriots are now headed to Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
They will face the Seattle Seahawks and quarterback Sam Darnold on February 8. If the ban is truly over, Portnoy could attend the Super Bowl with full access for the first time since the fallout.
