Dave Portnoy Has Blunt Message For Angry Duke Basketball Fans
In a fiery response that’s typical of his no-holds-barred personality, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy didn’t hold back after Duke’s shocking loss to Houston in the 2025 NCAA Tournament Final Four. What was shaping up to be a victory for the heavily favored Blue Devils ended in heartbreak, with a 70-67 defeat that saw Duke squander a 14-point lead late in the game. For Portnoy, it wasn’t just a disappointing result for the team—it was a devastating loss of nearly $200,000 on a parlay bet, further fueling his anger.
Portnoy, known for his outspoken and often abrasive opinions, took to social media to vent his frustration. “Choking dog losers,” he called the Duke players in a scathing message directed at both the team and their fans. His comments came after a controversial foul call late in the game, which Duke fans argued cost them the chance to secure a victory. Portnoy, however, wasn’t having any of it. He was quick to dismiss the complaints of Duke supporters, asserting that the blame for the loss fell squarely on the shoulders of the players themselves.
“Shut up about the refs,” Portnoy raged in a tweet. “You had every opportunity to win this game and choked it away. You’re a bunch of losers.” For Portnoy, the team’s inability to close out a game that they had under control was the crux of the issue. Despite any questionable officiating, he made it clear that Duke’s failure to execute down the stretch ultimately led to their undoing.
His blunt comments were also a reflection of his larger sports betting persona. Portnoy, who often shares his betting wins and losses with his large social media following, has made no secret of his love for gambling. His emotional reaction to this loss was more than just a fan’s frustration; it was also the sting of a major personal financial setback. The $193,750 payout he stood to win from his parlay bet was gone in an instant, and with it, his confidence in Duke’s ability to live up to their promise.
The criticism didn’t stop at the players. Portnoy also directed his frustration at the Duke fanbase, which he accused of using the referee call as an excuse rather than acknowledging their team’s failure. “I don’t want to hear your whining,” he wrote. “You had the game. You blew it. Deal with it.” It was a message that cut through the usual fanfare of March Madness and landed squarely on the idea that sometimes, sports can be brutally unforgiving, regardless of who you root for.
Portnoy’s reaction resonated with many fans and commentators who shared his frustration with Duke’s inability to close out a game that they were expected to win. Despite Duke’s status as one of the tournament favorites, their loss to Houston was a massive letdown. Cooper Flagg, the standout freshman projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, had a particularly tough outing, which only added to the disappointment. Many had pegged him as the future of college basketball, but this defeat raised questions about whether he would ever get the chance to make a deep tournament run at Duke.
While Portnoy’s message was harsh, it wasn’t entirely unwarranted. Duke, a program with a storied history and high expectations every year, failed to meet those expectations in a moment where they needed to execute the most. The blame game will no doubt continue, but for Portnoy, his blunt message was clear: Duke, in his eyes, had choked, and they should own it.
For Duke fans still upset over the loss, Portnoy’s words are unlikely to offer any comfort. But for the rest of the sports world, his message serves as a stark reminder that, in sports, you’re only as good as your ability to deliver when it matters most—something Duke, unfortunately, failed to do.
