Dave Portnoy, the outspoken founder of Barstool Sports, is walking on eggshells around New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. The reason? A messy public scandal involving Vrabel and sports reporter Dianna Russini, and Portnoy's own eyebrow-raising commentary about it.
Over the weekend, at Drake Maye's Celebrity Softball Game, Portnoy admitted he deliberately avoided Vrabel. Asked if they spoke, Portnoy confessed, “No, I did not. I was afraid to go up to him.” He added, “I do have a relationship with him in the past [but] I have no idea what he’s seen, what I’ve said.”
The tension stems from a scandal that erupted after photos surfaced of Vrabel and Russini spending time together at an adults-only resort in Arizona. Vrabel, who led the Patriots to a Super Bowl in his first season back, has since faced intense scrutiny. Portnoy initially defended the coach, posting on April 21: “LEADER OF MEN! Let he who has not made a mistake or bad decision cast the 1st stone!” But just two days later, he made a prediction that may have crossed a line.
“Davey Pageviews You Heard it Here 1st Prediction – Vrabel and Russini both get divorced and remarry each other,” Portnoy wrote on social media. The comment, which speculated on the end of Vrabel's marriage, has since made things awkward between the two.
At the softball game, Portnoy observed Vrabel from a distance. “He was totally normal and got a very big standing ovation. I saw him. He seemed like he was in good spirits. Normal interaction with all the players,” Portnoy said. Still, the Barstool boss didn't dare approach.
Vrabel has publicly committed to his wife, Jen, and vowed his focus remains on the Patriots. But the scandal has lingered, drawing commentary from figures like NFL insider Ian Rapoport, who called the situation “really sad.”
Portnoy himself hasn't shied away from the controversy entirely. He previously threatened legal action over jokes about the scandal in NFL schedule videos. But when it comes to facing Vrabel in person, the bravado fades.
As the Patriots prepare for another title run, Vrabel is trying to put the saga behind him. Portnoy, meanwhile, might need a little more time—and maybe a less awkward venue—before he's ready to have that conversation.
