Dave Portnoy’s ban from the NFL is over.
The Barstool Sports founder’s long-running beef with the NFL has come to an end, with the league telling TMZ on Monday that Portnoy is good to go to the Super Bowl 2026 on Feb. 8 to watch his beloved Patriots face the Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium as long as he buys a ticket.
Portnoy had told the outlet before the NFL’s comments to TMZ that he didn’t think he was still banned and that “I have 100 percent intentions to go watch the Super Bowl as a fan and enjoy it.”
“I’m not looking for trouble. I’m just looking to cue the duck boats and have another parade,” he said.
The feud between the NFL, Portnoy and subsequently Barstool Sports stems from a protest at the league’s Manhattan headquarters following the suspension of Tom Brady for four games over the “Deflategate” scandal in 2015.
Portnoy and three other Barstool employees ended up being arrested over the sit-in protest.
The NFL refused to credential Barstool Sports for the Super Bowl several years later, citing the protest as its reason.
Portnoy was also kicked out of the Big Game that same year in 2017 when the Patriots defeated the Falcons in a come-from-behind win after trailing 28-3.
But that now seems to be coming to an end in some fashion.
“Breaking: I’m hearing that the NFL ban on Barstool Sports has been lifted It feels like the end of Rocky IV. This hasn’t been 100% confirmed but the Cold War may be over,” Portnoy posted on X on Monday.
What isn’t immediately clear is whether the ban that was lifted was just for Portnoy or if the NFL will start allowing Barstool Sports employees to attend league media events.
Either way, the Barstool Sports founder will get to enjoy watching the Patriots attempt to win a seventh Super Bowl without having to worry about getting kicked out this year.
