The founder of Barstool Sports, Dave Portnoy, apologized to college freshman Mary Kate Cornett after she became the victim of a false viral rumor that was amplified by two personalities affiliated with the popular sports site. The false claims, which circulated online, were discussed by ESPN host Pat McAfee in February, leading to Barstool Sports affiliates referencing the rumor on their personal social media accounts. Portnoy denied his site’s involvement in promoting the rumor and expressed regret for the situation. Cornett’s family believes she was cyberbullied and has grounds for a defamation suit. Despite the potential for legal action, Portnoy expressed a desire to meet with Cornett’s family and pursue mediation to try and resolve the situation. Cornett described feeling helpless and alone as she faced harassment and insults after the rumor spread. McAfee has not responded to requests for comment, but during a recent show, he expressed a desire to make a positive impact in a challenging situation. Portnoy hopes to find a way to make amends and ensure that fans can continue to support him in the future.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
