Dave Portney is pretty much the coolest dude on the planet. Legit.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy released a video on Facebook and Twitter Thursday, explaining how his company has started a relief fund to aid small businesses struggling to stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic.
Dubbed the ‘Barstool Fund’, Portnoy vowed to throw down $500,000 in order to start the fund and supply financial aid to struggling small businesses in need. Companies can apply for assistance with needs such as rent or tax payments by sharing their stories by email, so long as they have continued to pay their employees throughout the pandemic..
“If you meet that and you’re a small business that’s been around for a little bit, or maybe not, but if it’s a gym, restaurant, bar and you’re not going to be able to survive the next couple of months, send us an email,” Portnoy said.
Introducing The Barstool Fund
If you are a small business that needs help staying in business because of covid email us your story to [email protected]. We will try to help as many people as we can. pic.twitter.com/9BS8HeyHaq
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) December 17, 2020
Portnoy has often criticized the US government for not helping the citizens of America. From not helping financially to creating so many restrictions on businesses that they just won’t survive.
Portnoy said Barstool will continue to financially support any company selected to receive assistance through the small business fund until their needs are met. He identified Borelli’s, a restaurant based on Long Island whose owner, Frank Borelli, has maintained payroll throughout the pandemic, as the “perfect example” of the type of small business that would qualify.
While the initial fund will consist of $500,000, Portnoy said he would raise more money if necessary to honor the commitment. Once the allotment has been used, Barstool will promote crowdfunding campaigns for other small businesses in need.
“Once you are in our program, we will pay whatever you need, the necessities you need, the money you need to get through this thing and give you a fair chance to run your business,” Portnoy said. “These people aren’t going out of business because they’re not successful or not making money, it’s because they have no other choice. They’ve been dealt a hand that nobody could play.”
Portnoy and Barstool are selling certain merch also, in order to add to the fund. A GoFundMe account is said to be in the works also — which Portnoy hopes to launch next week.
