Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy-Kyrie Irving Beef Takes New Turn

It can be hard to let go of a grudge, just ask Kyrie Irving and Dave Portnoy.

The Barstool Sports founder is an avid Boston sports fan, and like many Celtics fans, he doesn't seem to have gotten over the Dallas Mavericks star from going back on a preseason declaration of re-signing with the Green. It certainly can be hard to dissect Irving's future plans, which the 31-year-old criticized fans for doing.

Portnoy threw a Twitter jab at Irving when it was reported he reached out to Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James about a move to Dallas. Irving sent a warning to Portnoy, and for those who aren't chronically online, the beef did not end there.

Irving was tagged in a tweet from Portnoy who simultaneously voices his support for the Insider union but also criticized the workers there -- Insider and Portnoy had multiple legal battles over the publications report of the Barstool Sports' alleged sexual misconduct.

"I get it David. Enjoy these clips for now," Irving tweeted Friday. "And if you ever wanna lace 'em up and play ones and earn my respect, instead of always running your mouth,
I am here."

"(Expletive) it. I'll play you 1v1," Portnoy, who is 46 years old, quote tweeted back. "I'll beat you 21-17. I'll back you down in the paint 17 time and shoot (four) jumpers right in your face. Name a time and place. But no healthy scratches. When I say I'm gonna do something I do it.

"I'm not even gonna mention my shoulder," Portnoy said in a follow-up tweet.

I'm not even gonna mention my shoulder

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) June 9, 2023

Irving responded Saturday on Twitter to a story about the challenge, where he threw a shot at Portnoy. He was tagged in the story, so he was able to see the reply and revealed a message he sent to the All-NBA guard.

"Umm Kyrie you are getting companies mixed up," Portnoy tweeted. "He doesn't work for me. But I did send you a DM yesterday to set up game. Need less talking and more action. Novel concept for you I know."

Umm Kyrie you are getting companies mixed up. He doesn't work for me. But I did send you a DM yesterday to set up game. Need less talking and more action. Novel concept for you I know. @KyrieIrving https://t.co/HL0rl2juy4 pic.twitter.com/D0ixSOZFJ1

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) June 10, 2023

The direct message simply said, "when you want to do this," so it seems like Portnoy still is intent on a one-on-game basketball game against Irving. Mike Gunzelman wrote the story for Outkick, an outlet founded by Clay Travis and owned by Fox Corporation.

What's clear is the back-and-forth between Irving and Portnoy likely isn't ending anytime soon.