Dan Rapoport, the golf reporter for Barstool Sports, has announced his departure from the company and its popular “Fore Play” podcast. This was revealed in a recent episode of the podcast titled “Goodbye Dan Rapoport.”
In a statement shared on Twitter, Rapoport expressed gratitude for his time with Barstool Sports, reflecting on the experiences he gained during his two-year tenure. “I’m beyond grateful for these last 2 years. What a life experience, man. Running around the world with an incredible group of guys on a bunch of golf adventures,” he wrote. He also thanked key members of the Barstool team, including Riggs, Frankie, Trent, and the behind-the-scenes crew, acknowledging their contributions to his journey.
Rapoport, who previously worked for Golf Digest and Sports Illustrated, shared that his contract ended with the close of the last PGA Tour season, prompting him to consider his next steps. He noted that he plans to take some time to decompress and focus on his own golf game before embarking on his next venture.
While expressing appreciation for his time with Barstool, Rapoport hinted at changes within the company that contributed to his decision. “The company’s a little bit different than when I joined,” he remarked, subtly referencing Barstool’s evolution, which could be interpreted as a critique of founder Dave Portnoy. He reflected on the shift in direction, stating, “When I joined, we were gonna compete with ESPN; it was a different vibe.”
Portnoy reacquired Barstool Sports last year for $1 after its parent company, PENN Entertainment, decided to rebrand its Barstool Sportsbook app as ESPN Bet, partnering with the sports network.
Despite the changes, Rapoport emphasized his continued passion for golf and his commitment to covering the sport in fresh and engaging ways. He ended his statement optimistically, saying, “Hit it hard.”