Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy is threatening to close the company’s Manhattan office following the election of Zohran Mamdani as the next mayor of New York City, igniting debates about politics, business, and the future of the city’s economic landscape.
Portnoy, 48, who built Barstool into a multimedia empire over nearly two decades, described Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic socialist, as a “Communist” during a recent YouTube livestream.
He warned that Mamdani’s administration could “wreck the business climate” in the city, making it difficult for companies like Barstool and other private enterprises to operate effectively.
During the livestream, Portnoy said that Mamdani’s victory forced him to seriously consider relocating Barstool’s headquarters to nearby cities such as Hoboken, New Jersey, or Jersey City.
He expressed personal disdain for the mayor-elect, stating, “I hate the guy. Thirty-something-year-old Communist running New York City who’s never had a job in his life, hates America — doesn’t seem like the best person to run a city like this.”
While acknowledging that moving the company’s office would disrupt the lives of employees, many of whom have worked at Barstool for years, he revealed that he had already instructed the company’s finance team to “start looking around for property” outside Manhattan.
Portnoy’s public frustration with Mamdani is not new. Over the summer, he appeared on Fox Business, warning viewers that Mamdani “hates capitalism” and is ideologically “closer to a Communist than a mainstream Democrat.”
His comments came amid a broader national conversation about the influence of progressive policies in major cities and their impact on local businesses.
After election networks projected Mamdani’s victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo, Portnoy posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Thank God I don’t live there anymore,” highlighting both relief and concern over the city’s political direction.
Other prominent business figures have echoed Portnoy’s alarm. Palantir CEO Alex Karp told CNBC that New York City is “about to have a complete disaster” if Mamdani implements his progressive platform fully.
Critics argue that policies such as rent freezes, city-run grocery stores, and expanded public housing could disrupt the city’s traditional economic model, drive employers out, and increase taxes and regulations that make operating in the city more difficult.
Supporters of Mamdani, however, see his victory as a historic opportunity to advance equity, affordability, and inclusion in a city long known for stark economic inequality.
Zohran Mamdani, born in Uganda and raised on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, has framed his platform as a practical solution to some of New York City’s most pressing challenges.
He has emphasized policies aimed at improving access to housing, lowering the cost of living for working families, and increasing public services in underserved neighborhoods.
While Portnoy and other critics see these policies as radical, supporters argue that they are necessary reforms in a city that has long struggled with skyrocketing rents, income inequality, and a shortage of affordable housing.
Portnoy has described the potential move of Barstool as both a “principled stand” and a personal objection to what he sees as extreme leftist governance.
At the same time, he has acknowledged that such a move would significantly affect his employees, some of whom have deep roots in New York City and rely on Barstool for their livelihoods.
This tension between ideology and practicality highlights the broader challenge facing many business owners when local politics shift dramatically: balancing personal convictions against operational stability and employee welfare.
The reaction to Portnoy’s statements has been mixed.
Some supporters praised his willingness to take a stand against policies they view as harmful to business, while others criticized him for using hyperbolic language and threatening employees’ stability.
Media analysts note that Portnoy’s strong reactions are consistent with his public persona, which often blends business commentary with blunt, outspoken opinions on politics, sports, and culture.
His statements have drawn widespread attention, sparking debate on national platforms about the influence of political leadership on urban economies and corporate decision-making.
Meanwhile, Mamdani’s supporters continue to celebrate his victory as a turning point for the city.
They argue that his policies could bring long-term benefits, including more equitable housing policies, better access to essential services, and a renewed focus on community-centered governance.
They also note that the city has historically adapted to changing political climates, with businesses finding ways to thrive under administrations of varying ideologies.
Portnoy’s position underscores a broader tension in American cities: the clash between business interests and progressive policy initiatives.
As major urban centers experiment with social reforms and new economic strategies, business leaders like Portnoy face difficult choices about whether to adapt, relocate, or push back.
For Barstool Sports, the decision could set a precedent for other companies observing how political shifts affect corporate strategy, talent retention, and long-term growth.
In sum, Dave Portnoy’s statements about potentially moving Barstool’s Manhattan office reflect a deep-seated concern about the direction of New York City under Zohran Mamdani.
While he frames it as a moral and ideological objection to the mayor-elect’s policies, the move would also carry significant practical consequences for employees and the company’s operations.
Portnoy’s reaction has amplified national discussions about how progressive political agendas intersect with business climates in major metropolitan areas, highlighting the complex and often contentious relationship between politics, commerce, and community in one of the country’s most influential cities.
