Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has publicly urged NFL legend Tom Brady to distance himself from Michael Rubin, founder of Fanatics, citing concerns that Brady's recent public appearances are making him appear "cringey" and diminishing his legacy.
Portnoy expressed his views on social media platform X, stating, "Can somebody please shake Tom Brady and tell him to get as far away from Michael Rubin as possible and stop lamifying his entire legacy." He elaborated on his "Wake up Barstool" show, describing Brady as "very lame" and suggesting that superstars should avoid "low-brow TikTok, Flag Football leagues in Saudi Arabia."
The criticism follows a series of public interactions between Brady and Rubin, including a UFC-style face-off with influencer Logan Paul at Fanatics Fest. Videos also showed Brady and Paul exchanging middle fingers at a World Cup final match, with Rubin positioned between them.
Portnoy contended that Rubin is often at the center of such events and has a tendency to "lamify the coolest guys in the world." He traced the current situation back to Brady's comments about the New England Patriots prior to Super Bowl LVI, where Brady stated he had "no dog in the fight" before the Patriots lost to the Seahawks. Portnoy characterized these remarks as the beginning of Brady's perceived shift, stating, "It all started when he started hating on the Patriots."
