Dave Portnoy Explains Involvement in Brianna, Zach Bryan’s Split

Dave Portnoy has defended Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia since her breakup from Zach Bryan last month — but the Barstool Sports founder didn’t know how deep their issues went.

“I really had no idea how hard @BChickenfry last year was until we recorded tonight’s episode of @BFFsPod,” Portnoy, 47, shared via X on Thursday, November 7. “I know people have lots of strong opinions on Bri but after tonight’s episode there can’t be anybody who doesn’t respect the s— out of her.”

Portnoy joined cohosts LaPaglia, 25, and Josh Richards for their first “BFFs” podcast episode since the breakup. The trio spoke candidly — while taking some shots — at Bryan, 28, after LaPaglia was allegedly “emotionally abused” by him for a year. (Us Weekly has reached out to Bryan’s team regarding the podcast episode claims.)

LaPaglia claimed that she was offered a $12 million payout by Bryan’s team to stay quiet about her experiences during their relationship. When Portnoy’s name got thrown into the mix, he got involved. (Portnoy and Richards released a diss track about Bryan titled “Smallest Man” on Wednesday, November 6.)

“He hates my guts,” Portnoy stated on Thursday’s episode. “I ended up more in the middle of this than I, kind of, was anticipating.”

The Barstool Sports founder explained that as someone with more “life experience” he was acting as a friend to LaPaglia throughout the entire situation. Then “BFFs” podcast producer Austin Jenkins alleged that Portnoy’s name kept coming up.

I really had no idea how hard @BChickenfry last year was until we recorded tonight’s episode of @BFFsPod I know people have lots of strong opinions on Bri but after tonight’s episode there can’t be anybody who doesn’t respect the shit out of her

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) November 7, 2024

“I’m like, this is between me and Zach. You guys kept being brought into it and I’m like what the f— is going on,” LaPaglia stated. Portnoy said that when the “back and forth” about this apparent $12 million NDA continued, he started giving advice.

“When we thought Bri was going to take the money, I’m like, Get the money in your account. I don’t care about legal s—.’ They told her at one point they can’t wire five million bucks or something,” Portnoy claimed. “Bri, I can f—ing wire you five million bucks in 10 minutes that’s bulls—, they’re lying.”

LaPaglia, on her end, was “trying to make Zach” happy in any way that she could. However, “BFFs” producer Jenkins alleged to Portnoy in a text that Bryan’s team was trying to “squeeze” LaPaglia before the aforementioned diss track was even released.

“Bri can make her own decisions. I’m not going to have someone tell me, like, I have to shut up,” Portnoy stated. “I don’t even know anything.”

Related: Revisiting Dave Portnoy and Brianna Chickenfry’s Friendship History

Dave Portnoy and Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia’s friendship has come a long way over the years. Portnoy, 47, founded Barstool Sports in 2003, but LaPaglia, 25, didn’t join the team until much later. She got her start with the podcast network in 2020 as an intern. The organization contacted her via social media after her videos […]

Richards noted that it was a “weird strategy” for Bryan’s team to think “poking the bear” (meaning Portnoy) would work in their favor. Portnoy eventually reached out to Bryan’s lawyer directly.

“Hey this is Dave Portnoy, I don’t know who the f— you think you are dealing with. I’ve been nice so far,” Portnoy read from his phone. “Pay Bri ASAP or I’m coming for Zach’s throat. Bri won’t have a say in it anymore, Josh won’t have a say. I can pay Bri myself. I’ve tried to stay out of it but stop — all caps — f—ing around. Pay her or shut the f— up I’m losing patience.”

After he sent that message, Portnoy allegedly got things turned around on him.

“They try to turn around and say I’m extorting Zach,” he claimed. “They’re like, ‘That’s a crime.’ Somebody tell me — it’s so insane — you guys are trying to silence Bri. You’re offering her an NDA with all this money.”

At one point, LaPaglia was going to sign the paperwork for the money but ultimately decided not to.

“I’m not signing away my experiences and what I went through to protect someone who hurt me and I’m a lot stronger than a weak man and f— your money, f— you,” she said.