Dave Portnoy Responds to Ole Miss Cheating Rumor Controversy

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has stepped into the spotlight to address the fallout from a baseless cheating rumor that has been circulating about an Ole Miss college freshman. The rumor, which suggested that Mary Kate Cornett had an inappropriate relationship with her boyfriend's father, has caused significant distress for Cornett and her family.

In a recent interview with Tom Llamas on NBC Nightly News, Portnoy, who is 48 years old, was asked what he would say to Cornett's family in light of the situation. He responded candidly, saying, "I would apologize. I get why the family is pissed. I’m sad and I wish we didn’t play any part in it." His acknowledgment of the family's anger highlights the serious implications of the rumor and the role his company played in its spread.

According to reports from NBC News, Portnoy is now taking steps to improve Barstool's editorial standards. This move comes after several Barstool employees shared the rumor on social media, which Portnoy described as "really stupid." He expressed disappointment, stating, "I’ve been doing this a long time. I thought it was clearly a fake story. I thought we were better than that."

In an effort to resolve the situation, Portnoy mentioned that his legal team has been in contact with Cornett's lawyers. He explained, "I think they offered a mediation path or a lawsuit path. I think we’re going to try to mediate. I don’t know what we did legally wrong. That’s a little different issue. Morally, we were wrong."

The rumor has not only affected Cornett but has also drawn attention from other media personalities. ESPN's Pat McAfee discussed the allegation on his show in February, which further fueled its spread. Cornett has since labeled the rumor as "false," "inexcusable," and "disturbing," and her family is now considering legal action against both McAfee and ESPN.

During a live show in Pittsburgh, McAfee addressed the situation for the first time, stating, "I have a lot of people saying that I should be sued. I want to say this: I never, ever want to be a part of anything negative in anybody’s life, ever. That is not what I want to do." He emphasized his commitment to empathy and understanding, noting that his legal team is also from Pittsburgh.

McAfee described the fallout from the rumor as "a terrible situation" and expressed his desire to find a "silver lining" amid the chaos. He reassured his audience, saying, "You can have that promise from me. It won’t be as impossible to be a fan of mine going forward."

Earlier this month, Cornett shared her experience with The Athletic, revealing how the rumor has drastically impacted her life. She expressed her frustration, stating, "I would like people to be held accountable for what they’ve done. You’re ruining my life by talking about it on your show for nothing but attention, but here I am staying up until 5 in the morning, every night, throwing up, not eating because I’m so anxious about what’s going to happen for the rest of my life."

The situation continues to unfold, with both Portnoy and McAfee facing scrutiny for their roles in the rumor's dissemination. As they navigate the aftermath, the focus remains on the impact of their actions on Cornett and her family, highlighting the need for responsible media practices in the digital age.