Dave Portnoy’s Taylor Swift ‘ghosting’ claims take an unexpected turn

The Barstool Sports founder sparks buzz, then clarifies comments ahead of Swift’s Miami tour dates

Did Taylor Swift's Team Ghost Dave Portnoy? Barstool Founder Clears Up...

Did Taylor Swift’s Team Ghost Dave Portnoy? Barstool Founder Clears Up the ConfusionMARCALAPRESSE

 

Dave Portnoy, the outspoken founder of Barstool Sports, never shies away from controversy, but his latest remarks about Taylor Swift sparked quite the confusion among fans. Swifties were quick to rally when Portnoy claimed on his “BFFs” podcast that the pop star’s team had been ghosting him ahead of her highly anticipated Eras Tour dates in Miami. With Swift set to perform at Hard Rock Stadium on October 18, 19, and 20, Portnoy’s words spread fast, but things took an unexpected turn soon after.

For those unfamiliar, Portnoy has been an outspoken fan of Swift, frequently expressing his admiration for her music and even aligning himself with the legions of loyal Swifties. So when he suggested that her team had left him out in the cold, the Barstool founder’s disappointment resonated across social media, leaving fans and followers speculating about why one of Swift’s loudest cheerleaders would be ignored.

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On the podcast, Portnoy shared his frustration, remarking, “I thought I was getting an invite from her PR agency for the Miami shows. They’ve totally ghosted me. I get zero respect from the Swiftie team for what I do.” His casual, yet pointed, comments quickly gained traction as listeners wondered if there was a deeper rift between the sports media mogul and Swift’s camp.

However, not long after the podcast aired, Portnoy took to X, to set the record straight. In a surprising backtrack, he clarified that he hadn’t actually been ghosted by Swift’s team. “I can’t wait for Miami!” he posted, adding further confusion to what many had assumed was a genuine gripe with Swift’s PR.

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Portnoy’s change of heart didn’t stop the speculation from swirling. Some fans began questioning if his initial remarks were exaggerated for comedic effect, while others wondered if a last-minute invitation had arrived in response to the viral moment. Either way, Portnoy’s backpedaling left the Swiftie community amused and curious about what really happened behind the scenes.

During the podcast, when co-host Brianna LaPaglia asked why Swift’s team might not engage with him, Portnoy joked that “they don’t like me.” Regardless of the lack of communication, he reassured listeners that he was still determined to attend the shows, with or without special treatment. “I’m just gonna buy tickets, fine,” he said. “I have no problem with that, but it’s going to be hard for me just being general pop, which I’m gonna be. Fine, whatever.”

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Despite the earlier tension, Portnoy’s quick pivot on social media defused much of the drama, though it remains unclear if he’ll receive VIP treatment at the Miami shows. Swift’s Eras Tour has been one of the most talked-about events of the year, drawing massive crowds and creating an intense demand for tickets, so even Portnoy’s experience with getting tickets isn’t far from the norm.

As the Miami leg of Swift’s tour approaches, fans are also keeping a close eye on the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, which recently swept through parts of Florida. While the Hard Rock Stadium wasn’t directly impacted, concerns linger about travel and logistics for attendees. Swift, in her typical fashion, has already stepped up by donating $5 million to Feeding America to aid in hurricane relief efforts.