Barstool founder Dave Portnoy says he ‘doesn’t know why CNN didn’t mention’ his fundraising effort to help small businesses, because ‘the more advertising we receive, the more donations we receive, the more companies we can help’.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy questioned on Wednesday why CNN “did not mention” its fundraising effort to help struggling small business owners in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Portnoy said to “Varney & Co.” on Wednesday he thinks “everyone should be concerned about this”.
Portnoy first called CNN the day before for not covering his massive fundraiser, which on Wednesday afternoon raised nearly $ 18.9 million from almost 150,700 supporters for 80 small business owners struggling during the pandemic.
Last month, Portnoy launched “The Barstool Fund” for small businesses that need a financial lifeline. Companies can apply by email for assistance with needs such as rent or tax payments, as long as they have continued to pay their employees during the pandemic.
The fund, which Portnoy started with his own $ 500,000 contribution, has gone viral. Speaking to Stuart Varney on Wednesday, Portnoy pointed out some of the fund’s big-name contributors, which include NFL superstar Tom Brady, Food Network presenter Guy Fieri and musician Kid Rock.
CHEF GUY FIERI CELEBRITY HELPS BARSTOOL TO CHANGE LIVES FOR SMALL COMPANIES
The founder of Barstool Sports went on to say that the “most exciting part” of his fundraising effort is the tens of thousands of “ordinary people” who contributed to the cause.
However, despite Portnoy’s fundraising success, it won little or no mainstream press.
On Sunday, Portnoy became aware of a tweet published by CNN, which reported on the “Beyoncé Impact Fund” which offered $ 5,000 to 100 people who would face foreclosures or evictions during the pandemic.
“That’s great. I wonder if there are any other charities that are helping Americans with the corona pandemic that could use press coverage to help raise more money?” Portnoy responded in his own tweet, adding three cricket emojis.
“I have no problem with them talking about Beyoncé,” Portnoy told host Stuart Varney on Wednesday. “Any charity is good. She donated, I think, half a million dollars to help people who are being evicted from their homes because of COVID, which is great. ”
“We are closing at 20 million [dollars]. We help 80 companies ”, he continued. “I don’t care if you’re a politician, not a politician, everyone should be concerned about that.”
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE MOVE BY CLICKING HERE
Portnoy emphasized that he has “nothing against Beyoncé”.
“Mention Beyonce. She is famous. She is doing a good job, but we are also doing something and I think it would help everyone the more publicity we get, ”said Portnoy.
CNN did not immediately respond to Fox News’s request for comment.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT FOX BUSINESS
It appears that CNN did not mention Portnoy’s efforts on the air or online, but the liberal network is not alone. MSNBC also skipped coverage of “The Barstool Fund”, as well as The New York Times and The Washington Post. Portnoy said he appeared on NBC’s “Today Show” on Wednesday morning.
“I’m beating the drum,” said Portnoy. “I will be on any network anytime, anywhere, because the more advertising we have, the more donations we receive, the more business we can help.”
Fox News’ Thomas Barrabi ‘Joseph Wulfsohn and FOX Business’ contributed his report.