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Barstool Sports founder retracts Auschwitz tour offer to customer in antisemitic sign incident

CNN's profile
CNN
May 6
Barstool Sports founder retracts Auschwitz tour offer to customer in antisemitic sign incident

Context:

Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, initially offered a trip to Auschwitz to two customers who displayed antisemitic behavior at a Barstool pub in Philadelphia, but later retracted the offer for one after he denied involvement. The incident involved a woman holding an antisemitic sign while a man repeated the message, leading to the firing of two bar employees and an investigation by Philadelphia police. One of the customers is a Temple University student who has been placed on interim suspension pending investigation, and the university has expressed zero tolerance for antisemitism. The fraternity Kappa Delta Rho is also investigating as the customer is allegedly a member, emphasizing their opposition to all forms of hate. Portnoy, who has faced increased antisemitism amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, aimed to use the incident as a teachable moment but faced challenges due to the customer's denial of responsibility.

Dive Deeper:

  • Dave Portnoy offered a learning trip to Auschwitz to two individuals involved in antisemitic behavior at a Barstool Sports pub, but retracted the offer when one customer later denied responsibility and claimed to be a citizen journalist.

  • The incident involved a server at the bar holding an antisemitic sign while a man repeated the message, resulting in the firing of two employees who did not adhere to the bar's discrimination policies.

  • Philadelphia police are investigating the incident, with no charges filed yet, and one of the customers, a Temple University student, has been placed on interim suspension as the university investigates further.

  • Temple University and the fraternity Kappa Delta Rho, which the customer is allegedly a member of, both emphasized their commitment to opposing antisemitism and hate, with potential further actions pending investigation outcomes.

  • Dave Portnoy, who is Jewish, expressed his intention to turn the incident into a teachable moment, though the opportunity was complicated by the customer's change in stance, reflecting broader tensions amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

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