Barstool Philly bar antisemitic incident: Temple student involved, Dave Portnoy reacts

PHILADELPHIA - Barstool Sports creator Dave Portnoy has called an ‘emergency press conference.’

Portnoy is fed up after he says an antisemitic sign was shown at his Barstool bar in Philadelphia.

What they're saying:

Dave Portnoy took to social media Sunday to address an antisemitic incident that occurred at Barstool Sansom Street Saturday night.

According to Portnoy, when patrons order bottle service at the bar, signs are typically shown and displayed. 

Unfortunately, in a video posted to Instagram and X, Portnoy says ‘there was a sign yesterday that said f--- the Jews.'

Warning: The video embedded in this article below includes explicit language. 

Portnoy said he got word of the incident while he was getting ready for Barstool's Bet Gala, happening on Monday in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Visibly upset, the Barstool Sansom Street owner says he has been ‘hunting down waitresses, the table who did it’ and more. 

"I believe the two waitresses responsible for the table are already fired," said Portnoy. "I've talked to one of the two guys who *expletive* did it. He's like, 'I'm not anti-Semitic' he's basically crying to me. And I'm just like, I don't *expletive* buy it for a second."

In the video, Portnoy also mentions two young adults involved may attend Temple University. 

Portnoy reviewed the surveillance footage of the Philly bar and continued to search for answers. 

In an update Sunday, Portnoy says he has fired the two waitresses responsible for carrying out the antisemitic incident. 

Portnoy says he will use this as a ‘teaching moment’ by sending the people who ordered the antisemitic sign to Auschwitz to learn about the Holocaust. 

Portnoy, who is Jewish, says he will pay for them to go and tour concentration camps.

"For everyone who wants these kids' lives to be ruined, I think you can lay off, and I think this is a fair *expletive* trade," said Portnoy.

Philadelphia police say they are aware of a video that has surfaced showing a sign at the bar on the 1200 block of Sansom Street from Saturday night. They are looking into the incident.

Dig deeper:

Rabbi David Kushner, a chaplain with the Philadelphia Police Department, says he spoke with Portnoy about the incident on Sunday, which he calls "incredibly concerning," especially, just days into Jewish American History Month.

"He was pained by it and is pained by it, and he’s angered by it, and he would like to find ways to help avoid that from happening in the future, not just in his establishments, but everywhere," said Rabbi Kushner. "Every single person deserves basic human decency, and what we saw in that video does not meet that standard, does not even come close to it."

At Barstool Sansom Street on Sunday, Daniel Stewart, unaware of the incident, says around 4:00 p.m., they were suddenly told the bar was closing and they had to leave. 

FOX 29 was there as dozens of others showed up throughout the afternoon to try to get in, but the door was locked.

"It’s really surprising, it feels like such a bad lapse in judgement," says Radhey Patel, who frequents the bar as a student at Temple University. "Just go tell your boss, at least run it by someone, they just went to go do it? I don’t know, I really don’t know, that’s how you lose your job."

Jason Holtzman, Chief of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, calls the incident horrifying and dangerous. He says he is pushing for more education, but commends Portnoy on his response.

"There’s always a way to come back, there’s always a way to return, I think going to Auschwitz and seeing one of the lowest steps, if not the lowest step in Jewish history, is a good step."

Temple University responds

In a statement Sunday, Temple University President John Fry said after investigating, the university's Division of Student Affairs identified one Temple student involved in the incident. 

The school has placed the student on interim suspension.

"In the strongest terms possible, let me be clear: antisemitism is abhorrent. It has no place at Temple and acts of hatred and discrimination against any person or persons are not tolerated at this university," read the statement. 

"Any additional students who are found to be involved will face strict disciplinary action under the Student Conduct Code, up to and including expulsion," the statement continued. "I know that incidents like this do not represent our community and its values. Thank you for your support and continued commitment to ensuring that Temple provides a safe and welcoming environment to all its students, faculty, staff and neighbors."

Barstool Sansom Street responds

The Philly bar posted the following statement to its Instagram Stories Sunday:

What you can do:

If you have more information related to the incident, the Temple University president says you should contact the Dean of Students at dos@temple.edu. 

Students can seek support and guidance through Tuttleman Counseling Services and IDEAL’s Interfaith Inclusion Center, and an Employee Assistance Program is available 24/7 for faculty staff.

Members of the Temple community who have experienced discrimination or harassment to submit a report through the Department of Public Safety, the Equal Opportunity Compliance Office and the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. This can also be done through the Ethics and Compliance Helpline. 

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