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Draft:Daniel Katz (podcaster)

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    The disambiguation page for the primary name is Daniel Katz (disambiguation). Robert McClenon (talk) 16:25, 30 April 2025 (UTC)



Daniel Katz
Born (1985-01-30) January 30, 1985 (age 40)
Newton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Other namesBig Cat
Alma mater
Occupation(s)Sportswriter, podcaster
Children3
Websitebarstoolsports.com

Daniel Katz (born January 30, 1985) is an American sports media personality, writer, and podcaster for Barstool Sports, who is the co-host of the popular podcasts, Pardon My Take and the Yak.[1] Katz began working at Barstool Sports in 2012.[2]

Early life and Education

[edit]

Daniel Katz was born in Newton, Massachusetts on January 30, 1985, and later went to college at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. In 2007, he moved to Chicago shortly after graduating from college.[2] [3]

Career

[edit]

Katz began working at Barstool Sports in 2012.[4]

In February 2016, he helped launch the number one (1) sports podcast in the United States, Pardon My Take, along with his co-host, PFT Commenter.[2]</ref> [5] [6] He had been regularly communicating with PFT Commenter through Twitter prior to 2016 and the two teamed up to create Pardon My Take. The podcast, which is often satirical in nature, has grown to a top ranking on iTunes' "Sports and Recreation" list.[7][8] In 2025, Pardon My Take was the most popular sports podcast based on online popularity and ratings/reviews from Spotify and Apple.[9]

In December 2018, Katz began hosting "The Corp" podcast along with Alex Rodriguez.[10] The podcast featured guests such as Kobe Bryant, Barbara Corcoran, Mike Francesa, and Michael Rubin (businessman).[11]

He briefly hosted the show, Barstool Van Talk, on ESPN, which was canceled after only one episode. [12] ESPN president John Skipper issued the following statement: "Effective immediately, I am cancelling Barstool Van Talk. While we had approval on the content of the show, I erred in assuming we could distance our efforts from the Barstool site and its content. Apart from this decision, we appreciate the efforts of Big Cat and PFT Commenter. They delivered the show they promised."

Katz is also the host of "The Yak", a daily, panel-style show on Youtube.[13]. He hosts The Yak along with other Barstool personalities, including Kyle "KB" Bauer, Nick Turani, Kate Mannion, Mark Titus, and Brandon Walker. Former hosts of the show include current and former Barstool personalities such as Jared Carrabis, Coley Mick, Caleb Pressley, Adam "Rone" Ferrone, and Harry "Lil Sasquatch" Settel.

Katz makes regular call-in appearances every Thursday on the "Waddle and Silvy" radio program on ESPN 1000, a popular Chicago sports radio show, hosted by Tom Waddle, a former professional football player for the Chicago Bears among other teams, and Marc "Silvy" Silverman.[14] In the Athletic Chicago sports radio survey, Katz won the write-in vote for best regular guest by a substantial margin[15]

Katz is the head of Barstool's Chicago office, which opened in 2023, following a $20 Million build-out.[16]

Stella Blue Coffee

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Katz launched his coffee-brand, a company who owns with Barstool Sports, in November 2022.[17][18] The company donates some of the proceeds from the sales of the coffee brand to the PAWS Chicago animal shelter, where Katz originally rescued his dog, Stella. He has donated over $200,000.00 to Paws Chicago.[19][20]

Honors

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In 2017, the Big Lead ranked Katz and PFT Commenter as the number one sports media talents under the age of 40.[21]

In 2023, the Big Lead ranked Katz as the 26th most powerful person in sports media.[7] Sports Illustrated ranked him as the 3rd most influential personality in Sports Media, along with PFT Commenter. [22]

Chicago Magazine listed him as the 41st most influential person in Chicago, for 2024.[23]

Controversy

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Due to Katz's 'Can't Lose Parlay,' the Massachusetts Gaming Commission fined Penn Entertainment, the former owner of Barstool Sports, $25,000.00.[24] Penn Entertainment argued that the "Can't Lose Parlay" was meant to be a "satirical reference to Katz’s history as a “loser” and “terrible, terrible gambler.”'[25] [26] They likened it to no one believing that Captain Crunch crunch berries are actually made of berries. Despite the argument that the promo was satire and most Barstool bettors were in on the joke, Commissioner Brad Hill said at the time that it was the regulatory body’s duty to protect the 10% of the population who may not know the historic background of the promotion and who may just bet on the parlay because they see Katz doing so.

Katz lashed out at his boss, Dave Portnoy, for interviewing Donald Trump in 2020.[27] [28]

His ESPN Show, Barstool Van Talk, was canceled after only one (1) episode due to significant backlash from various female ESPN employees.[29] [30]

Katz received various backlash after making lewd comments about Taylor Swift.Clark, Meredith (October 3, 2023). "Barstool Sports podcast hosts face backlash for sexist remarks about Taylor Swift amid Travis Kelce romance". The Independent.</ref> [31] Rachel Zegler defended Taylor swift over Katz's comments.[32]

Controversy over Upbringing in Massachusetts

[edit]

Katz downplayed and tried to hide his upbringing in Massachusetts throughout his career at Barstool Sports until it was publicly revealed by Kirk Minihane during an episode of the fourth season of Surviving Barstool.[33] [14] "Katz said he was born in Massachusetts just outside of Boston but had family in Highland Park, IL.[33] His uncle was a Bulls season ticket holder and he accompanied his uncle to several Bulls games throughout the 1990s. He fell in love with the city and, when the former Barstool Chicago blogger no longer covered the area, Katz stepped in and covered the teams. Since then, he's lived and died with the teams and their fans."[33]

Katz published an article on the Barstool Sports website, on January 15, 2025, to come clean on the controversy.[3][33] He revealed that he moved to Chicago shortly after graduating from the University of Wisconsin, in 2007.[33] In 2012, Dave Portnoy announced that he was opening Barstool Chicago, which originally was led by Barstool Neil.[33] Neil lived in Chicago at that time but was often lambasted by the Barstool fans for Neil having not originally been from Chicago.[33] Katz began working part-time for Barstool. He did not want the fans to hate him like Neil and had a discussion regarding how to proceed, with Dave Portnoy. They agreed that he would downplay his upbringing in Massachusetts and solely present himself as a Chicago sports fan.[33]

References

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  1. ^ "How Barstool Sports created one of the most popular podcasts despite making enemies along the way". Business Insider. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Skipper, Clay (June 14, 2016). "Meet PFT Commenter and Big Cat, Two of the Internet-Famous Bros Behind Barstool Sports". GQ.
  3. ^ a b Katz, Daniel (January 15, 2025). "lets-rip-the-old-band-aid-off-once-and-for-all". Barstool Sports. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  4. ^ Shipley, Reice (February 26, 2025). "Ben Johnson tests Bears fandom of Barstool Big Cat during 'Pardon My Take' appearance". Awful Announcing.
  5. ^ Burns, Mark J. (July 11, 2017). "Past, Present, Future: How Barstool Sports Is Swinging For The Fences In Digital Media". Forbes.
  6. ^ Weber, Jim (June 12, 2017). "How Pardon My take Took Over Sports Podcasting". Awful Announcing.
  7. ^ a b Glasspiegel, Ryan (January 25, 2017). "The 30 Most Powerful Talents in Sports Media Today". The Big Lead. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  8. ^ Deitsch, Richard (December 22, 2016). "Sports Illustrated Media Awards: The best and worst of 2016". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  9. ^ "The Ultimate Lineup of Pitch-Perfect Sports Podcasts". cardbiz.ca. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  10. ^ Roberts, Daniel (December 4, 2018). "Alex Rodriguez launches podcast with Barstool Sports". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  11. ^ Fernandez, Henry (August 8, 2019). "Barstool Sports, Alex Rodriguez aim for home run with return of 'The Corp' podcast". Fox Business.
  12. ^ Chavez, Chris (October 23, 2017). "ESPN cancels 'Barstool Van Talk' after one episode". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  13. ^ Glasspiegel, Ryan (February 4, 2020). "Brandon Walker's Remarkable Rise to Stardom at Barstool Sports". The Big Lead.
  14. ^ a b BSM staff (January 17, 2025). "Big Cat talks chicago fan affiliation on Waddle and Silvy". Barrett Media. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  15. ^ Greenberg, Jon (March 15, 2019). "Dollars and sense: The Athletic Chicago's sports radio survey is in, and the winners are..." New York Times.
  16. ^ Neumann, Sam (November 7, 2023). "Barstool unveils $20 million 'fantasy factory' in Chicago". Awful Announcing. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  17. ^ Nelson, Joe (Oct 4, 2024). "Dan 'Big Cat' Katz doubles down on vow to help Badgers pony up for QB". Sports Illustrated.
  18. ^ Golden, Shauna (April 11, 2023). "Brewing a Broader Audience: Influencer-Fronted Coffee Brands Seek to Make Specialty Coffee More Accessible". Nosh.Com.
  19. ^ Olah, Julie (Summer 2024). "For the Love of Coffee & Canines" (PDF). PAWS Chicago Magazine.
  20. ^ Fox News Chicago (August 9, 2023). "Barstool's Big Cat supports PAWS Chicago with $15K check". Fox 32 Chicago.
  21. ^ Glasspiegel, Ryan (January 17, 2017). "40 Under 40: Sports Media Talents". The Big Lead.
  22. ^ Traina, Jimmy (July 12, 2023). "Top 10 most influential personalities in sports media". Sports Illustrated.
  23. ^ McClelland, Edward Robert (February 20, 2024). "The 50 Most Powerful Chicagoans, Ranked". Chicago Magazine.
  24. ^ Waltman, Jessica (January 9, 2025). "Penn paid $25K fine in MA for past Barstool Can't Lose Parlay". SBC Americas.
  25. ^ Davis, Colin A. (June 7, 2023). "Mass. gaming regulators examining 'Can't Lose' parlays". Mass Live.
  26. ^ Svoboda, Dylan (April 29, 2024). "Barstool Sports gives 'Crunch Berries' defense while being grilled in court over sportsbook". New York Post.
  27. ^ Bucholtz, Andrew (July 7, 2020). "Barstool's Dan "Big Cat" Katz vented on air on not being consulted ahead of Dave Portnoy's interview with President Trump". Awful Announcing.
  28. ^ Martin, Jeffrey (July 24, 2020). "Barstool Sports Host Big Cat Slams Dave Portnoy For Trump Interview, Says Barstool Declined Joe Biden Sit-Down". News Week.
  29. ^ Draper, Kevin (October 23, 2017). "ESPN Cancels Barstool Sports Partnership After One Episode". The New York Times.
  30. ^ Allen, Scott (October 23, 2017). "ESPN cancels 'Barstool Van Talk' after only one episode". The Washington Post.
  31. ^ Sadowski, Alicia (October 3, 2023). "Barstool Sports podcast launches sexist attack on Taylor Swift". Media Matters for America.
  32. ^ De Loera, Carlos (October 4, 2023). "Rachel Zegler stands up for Taylor Swift after 'cruel' comments about rumored Travis Kelce relationship". Los Angeles Times.
  33. ^ a b c d e f g h Traina, Jimmy (January 16, 2025). "The Revelation of Barstool Big Cat's Sports Fandom Shouldn't Change a Thing". Sports Illustrated.


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