Many separated couples need help with splitting finances, but not entrepreneur and social media personality David Portnoy. Despite being estranged from his wife, the couple still shares a bank account.
In a recent interview with “The Sage Steele Show,” the Barstool Sports founder shared why his wife, Renee, still has access to his money, despite being separated for almost eight years. Renee is a businesswoman and equestrian who supports various philanthropic endeavors. Despite the long-term separation from Portnoy, the ex-couple has a mutual trust and respect for each other.
Open Bank Access?
“She currently has access to all my money. If she just wanted to be like I’m taking it and be gone, she could,” Portnoy shared during the interview. “But we’ve had that joint bank account forever. I trust her implicitly. She has full access for a long time.”
Portnoy, who is worth a reported $150 million, launched Barstool Sports in 2003 as a print publication. Known as “El Presidente,” he published the weekly sports roundup and distributed copies throughout the Boston metropolitan area. By 2007, Portnoy moved the publication online and within three years was operating fully online. Meanwhile, Portnoy married Renee in 2009 but the couple separated in 2017. The couple has not divorced. Portnoy has said a Massachusetts judge denied their petition in 2023, citing a disagreement with the couple over how they should split their assets.
“She and I have a very fluid relationship with our finances,” Portnoy told Steele. “We’ve been separated legally for a long time, but the judge said our agreement wasn’t equitable to her.’
Today, Barstool Sports is more than a website — it is a digital media company operating out of New York producing content such as podcasts, television shows, and gambling. In addition, the company oversees several alcohol brands and merchandise. Portnoy sold off the company between 2016 and 2023. However, he repurchased the company in its entirety in 2023 for one dollar.
Despite Portnoy dating several women, including Silvana Mojica, having a sex tape leaked in 2019, Portnoy has an amicable relationship with Renee.
“We met when Barstool was nothing…she rode the grind up with us,” Portnoy shared on the show. “She was with me every step of the way, so in my mind, she’s entitled to enjoy the fruits of it.”