Anyone who loves sports and sports commentary knows who Dave Portnoy is. The founder of Barstool Sports has provided sports fans around the world with a non-traditional everyday angle on sports news and discussion. Dave Portnoy built one of the largest independent sports media companies online, but he didn’t do it alone. Dave had help from different circles, chief of which is his ex-wife, Renee Portnoy.
Before their divorce, Renee supported the sportsman in the background and kept a low profile while he developed his franchise. She was and is known to readers and fans of Barstool Sports as the “First Lady of Barstool Nation”. Here’s everything we know about her before, during and after Dave and Barstool.
Renee Portnoy’s Bio
The former first lady of Barstool Nation was born in Abington, Massachusetts on May 5, 1987. Renee is not the kind of person who gets media attention. As a result, she kept most details of her personal life private. Nothing is known of his growing up years, siblings, or education before college. She often posts photos of her parents on her Instagram account but has chosen to keep their identities a secret.
Renee Portnoy studied at Boston University and earned a B.Sc. in Business and International Relations.
Renee Portnoy’s relationship with David Portnoy
Except for the occasional public responsibility – like her appearance on KFC Radio’s #Mailtime – she has stayed away from the stage throughout her life with Dave. No one knows for sure how long Renee and Dave have been together. However, it seems from some of his old Instagram posts that they were a couple long before Barstools Sports existed. Trouble started brewing in late 2016 when David was spotted canoodling with an unknown woman. This raised the rumors about his marriage and he quickly took to his blog to dispel them. However, just in 2017, the media man sent shockwaves through his fans when he announced he was splitting from Renee Portnoy. According to him, their separation was amicable and they were still friends.
David moved on with a woman he revealed as Jordyn Hamilton. He even took hits for her, denying the backlash that her divorce was his fault. He eventually attacks her, and more publicly still, as he goes to his blog to accuse her of having an affair with a SoulCycle instructor. Dave’s cyberbullying also extended to the instructor and SoulCycle.
Facts About Dave Portnoy’s Ex-Wife
1. She always goes by Dave’s last name
With all the ruckus surrounding Dave’sRenée Portnoy has since retired to Nantucket. She and Dave had bought a house there for $2 million sometime in 2016. Amazingly, the former “first lady” hasn’t dropped the Portnoy name — at least online. His name has remained the same on his social media accounts. However, her Instagram followers refused to move on; for them, Renée remains the first lady.
2. Renee is an equestrian
There’s nothing Portnoy loves more than riding a horse. The horse lover has been riding ponies and horses most of her life since she was eight years old. Her love for these beautiful creatures is reinforced by the fact that she did not retreat after being thrown by a pony as he kicked her in the air. She immediately returned to riding after the incident.
Renee Portnoy couldn’t be happier to be able to focus on work that gives her love for horses. Portnoy works at Smart Pak, a company that sells horse supplies and equine supplements. She started her job straight out of college in 2010 as a senior horse buyer. Eventually she rose to her current position as Director of Merchandising. This role sees her spend her creative time contributing to the design and manufacture of the company’s products. All this while spending most of his time with horses.
3. Renee Portnoy introduced Dave to horse racing
When they were together, Renee’s love for horses eventually erased the media man. He entered the world of horse racing with the purchase of a few horses. While Dave invests in racing, Renee, encouraged by her ex-husband, has also started to participate in competitions. At the time, the couple was attending the Kentucky Derby, an equestrian event in which Renée still competes.
4. Renee is a dog rescue and adoption advocate.
Apparently, her love for animals doesn’t end with horses. Portnoy is also actively involved in rescuing homeless street dogs and finding them forever homes. It’s a passion she shares with her ex-husband.
Renee Portnoy believes that people and dogs are better off if animal lovers adopt their pets instead of buying them. She also contributes to the work of a local animal shelter known as Safe Harbor for Animals of Nantucket Island and also helps raise funds for animal shelters. Portnoy also volunteers at her home as a foster home for rescue dogs as they find forever homes for them.