Dave Portnoy has caught World Cup fever, and he's not afraid to share his hot takes on how to improve the beautiful game. The Barstool Sports founder, known for stirring the pot, dropped three rule change suggestions that are sure to make soccer traditionalists reach for the smelling salts.
During a recent episode of "Wake Up Barstool" on Fox Sports 1, Portnoy laid out his vision for a more American-friendly World Cup. His ideas? Make the goals massive, ban backward passes once you cross midfield, and allow one full-on tackle per half. Yes, you read that right—a literal tackle.
"I am pro soccer right now. I'm in World Cup fever. I'm watching all the games. I gave out my picks, 3-0 yesterday. I have a couple suggestions," Portnoy said. "Make the nets about 100 times bigger. Have power plays. Have different things. I got a lot of things that I think soccer purists wouldn't exactly love hearing me say."
Portnoy's first proposal—enlarging the goal—would turn every shot into a near-certain score, essentially transforming the game into a basketball-style shootout. His second rule would forbid any backward pass once the ball crosses the halfway line, a move he compares to a backcourt violation in basketball. "You go forward and they kick it all the way backwards. It's like backcourt, half-court violation, you lose the ball," he explained.
The third suggestion is perhaps the most eyebrow-raising: one legal tackle per half. Portnoy envisions a single, no-holds-barred takedown that would inject a dose of gridiron grit into the pitch. "Maybe you get one full tackle per half where you can just tackle the guy," he said. "A couple things to make the viewing experience a little better, but I'll get into that after the World Cup because I have World Cup fever."
Of course, these ideas are unlikely to be implemented by FIFA anytime soon. But Portnoy's commentary taps into a broader debate about how to make soccer more appealing to American audiences. The World Cup has already sparked plenty of controversy, from a broadcaster suspended for calling a father's birth attendance 'disgusting' to Tim Howard sparking fury with a claim that a USMNT World Cup win is 'literally impossible'.
Portnoy's suggestions may be tongue-in-cheek, but they highlight a cultural clash between soccer purists and casual fans. While the sport's global appeal is undeniable, its pacing and low-scoring nature can be a tough sell for viewers accustomed to the constant action of American football or basketball. Portnoy's rule changes are a playful attempt to bridge that gap.
Whether or not anyone takes these ideas seriously, one thing is clear: Dave Portnoy is fully invested in the World Cup. And if his proposals ever made it to the FIFA boardroom, the reaction would be anything but boring.
