With the intersection between sports and social media in the 21st century, Dave Portnoy has become a central figure in it all.
The known Boston sports fan and University of Michigan alum founded Barstool Sports in the early 2000s, which wound up being one of the most consequential decisions in recent sports media history. As Barstool grew into a media giant, between its social media presence, shows and more, Portnoy also grew into a brighter spotlight through his own digital presence.
As Portnoy has become a key figure in the sports world, including joining Fox Sports in 2025 as a personality that will focus on college football, those around him have become more well-known as well.
Here's what to know about Portnoy's family tree.
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Dave Portnoy dad: Michael Portnoy
Dave Portnoy's father is Michael Portnoy. He was a lawyer, although he has also made plenty of media appearances with his son in the past. Per Martindale, a legal information services company, Michael J. Portnoy was a lawyer in Swampscott, Mass., where Dave is from. Michael has degrees from Boston College.
In 2004, when Dave filed for bankruptcy protection after large gambling losses, he reportedly owed $18,000 to his father, per the New York Times.
Michael Portnoy has nearly 80,000 followers on X, where he lists himself as "El Pres’ dad" and "Co-host of Mike & the Murdogg featuring Cousin Riggs on Sirius radio channel 85."
In 2020, Michael Portnoy was the first guest on his son's show:
In 2024, Dave shared that when he was with President Donald Trump previously, he FaceTimed his father, who he said "hates" him.
Dave has done one of his famous "pizza reviews" with Michael before, as well as other videos and content.
My Dad's Chocolate Chip Cookie Review - Mike's Pastry (Boston, MA) pic.twitter.com/omQrOb7ypt
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) July 31, 2021
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Dave Portnoy mom: Linda Portnoy
Dave Portnoy's mother is Linda Portnoy. She is a former high school teacher.
Linda has also made plenty of appearances in Dave's online content, such as posing with a Barstool hat that says "Call your mom."
My mom dripping subtle hints pic.twitter.com/8YQ1c40C3z
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) July 20, 2023
In 2023, Portnoy shared a photo of him and Linda for Mother's Day:
Like his father, Dave has also had his mother do his "pizza reviews" in the past. Michael even joined him in 2021 to "review" Linda's cookies.
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Dave Portnoy ex-wife: Renee Satterthwaite
Dave Portnoy's ex-wife is Renee Satterthwaite. The two got married in 2009 and separated in 2017, but Dave has specified that their divorce is not legally resolved.
Dave shared through a Barstool blog post in 2017 that he was "separated from the First Lady," but "it was mutual" and "I will always love her."
Portnoy told former ESPN personality Sage Steele in November 2024 that Renee has access to his assets still, as they're legally married. He also said they were denied when trying to get a divorce in Massachusetts.
"We’re technically married right now ... We tried to get a divorce in Massachusetts,” Portnoy said. "We met when Barstool was nothing, so she rode the grind up with us. ... she was with me every step of the way. So, in my mind, she’s entitled to enjoy the fruits of it."
Renee has over 40,000 followers on Instagram, where she has posted about her "Renee Rescues" nonprofit effort to foster puppies in the Boston, Nantucket and Wellington, Fla. areas.
Renee also has experience as an equestrian, competing in horse-riding tournaments like the New England Equitation Championships and the Wellington International.
Renee said in 2020 that she first met Dave when he recruited her and other models to hand out the Barstool Sports newspaper he started.
"Dave always carried the biggest Dunkin' Donuts you could imagine. It was a monster iced coffee, and he kind of had his sideways swagger hat going on," Renee said. "That was basically the first impression."
In May 2025, Portnoy said he still considers Renee as a "best friend."
"Like we get along ... she was with me at the beginning of this company," he said. "And like, if she called me right now and was like, 'I need you,' I'd be there ... It just didn't work as marriage."
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Where is Dave Portnoy from?
Portnoy was born and raised in Swampscott, Massachusetts, which is around 15 miles up the east coast from Boston.
He later attended the University of Michigan, graduating in 1999 before he later founded Barstool Sports.
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