The NFL confirmed that Barstool’s Dave Portnoy is not banned from Super Bowl LX despite his infamous past of faking credentials to gain event access

Dave Portnoy walks out of a pizza shop in Atlanta

Dave Portnoy will be granted access to watch the New England Patriots at Super Bowl LX (Image: Instagram (@stoolpresidente))

Dave Portnoy’s relationship with the NFL hasn’t been the smoothest over the years, but his adversarial, legally complex, and openly opinionated stance toward the league won’t stop him from being granted access to attending the most significant annual American sporting event.

Ahead of Super Bowl LX, the NFL confirmed to Front Office Sports that “Mr. Portnoy” is allowed to buy a ticket to watch the game live in Santa Clara, California, at Levi’s Stadium on Feb.8 after his ejection from the Super Bowl in 2019. The decision came after Portnoy’s beloved New England Patriots advanced to the game following a 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos for the AFC Championship.

Portnoy was forcibly taken out of Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta during New England’s 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams, marking the lowest-scoring Super Bowl ever. The game saw another victory for the legendary duo of quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick, who was overlooked for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first ballot.

 

Portnoy’s ejection stemmed from earlier actions. He faked a Super Bowl media pass after his company was denied league approval. He faced criminal trespass charges and CBS reported he was banned from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, where the game occurred.

Portnoy strongly criticized NFL commissioner Roger Goodell following Tom Brady’s 2016 suspension. Together with Barstool employees, they organized a sit-in at NFL headquarters in New York City and handcuffed themselves to the front desk before ordering a discussion.

Dave Portnoy attends Super Bowl LIX media row

Dave Portnoy hosted a Super Bowl event with Barstool last season (Image: Getty)

They were arrested, and the NFL never forgot it. From that point on, the league consistently cited professionalism concerns and past behavior when denying credentials. Portnoy has remained hellbent on an olive branch, even writing a ‘public letter’ to Goodell seeking reinstatement.

Before the credential crackdown, Portnoy bent the rules and appeared directly within official Super Bowl media ecosystems. He joined Liz Gonzales, Kevin “KFC” Clancy, and Kevin Hart on Kevin Hart Live on Barstool Radio on SiriusXM during Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis, where the crew discussed the game.

Dave Portnoy works with Kevin Hart Live on Barstool Radio at Super Bowl LII

The NFL said Dave Portnoy can purchase a Super Bowl LX ticket (Image: Getty)

Despite his contentious history with league credentials, Portnoy has remained a visible presence during Super Bowl week. He most recently hosted a Barstool Sports show from Bourbon Street ahead of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans alongside Jon Gruden and Gillie Da Kid. He attended multiple sponsored events during Super Bowl week, including appearances tied to T-Mobile and Venmo activations.

Portnoy’s most prominent media footprint has shifted toward college football, including a partnership with Fox Sports’ Big Noon Kickoff. That move also sparked backlash when Portnoy, as a lifelong Michigan fan, declared SEC football “dead.”

Super Bowl LX features the New England Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks in a rematch loaded with history. Their last Super Bowl meeting was Super Bowl XLIX and ended with Malcolm Butler’s iconic goal-line interception, one of the most replayed moments in NFL history.