I'm Learning So Many Lessons From My Boss Dave Portnoy

I’ve learned a lot of lessons from my boss in the few short months of working here. The latest lesson I learned last night, it’s that you get out in front of a story that could make you look bad.

“Alert the media, and then you control the story. Wait for them to find out, and the story controls you. That’s what happened to O.J. – Michael Scott” – Dave Portnoy

So, let’s go.

Dave sent out this tweet this morning:

Now, before I even get to the facts, I’d like to point out (again) that this is coming from a guy who left Clemson off his top ten last week and this week left off Ohio State, Oklahoma and Washington. He admitted he accidentally left them off during a break, but we all know that won’t ever air since Frankie produces the show. When the red light came on, he spin-zoned it. Fine. He’s really good at what he does. Credit to him. Another lesson learned from the master.

Back to the tweet. What he failed to mention (and it will come out on Saturday) is that I DID NOT have Wisconsin in my top ten and there will be graphic evidence to prove that.

Now, here’s where I’ll admit this went wrong for me:

When we were taping, Big Cat mentioned that I forgot Wisconsin. And hand up, in that moment, he put my brain in a pretzel for a second and I said “shit, I did.” I can admit that. It happens. I realized very quickly that I – in fact – dropped them out because they lost at home to BYU. (And yes, it was a BAD loss). I’m on record saying that I thought Wisconsin could be a playoff team BEFORE THAT LOSS, but that I don’t think they are anymore barring some massive chaos.

But, in that same moment, I was not going to admit that Dave was right. I mean another lesson I’ve learned is never admit you’re wrong even if you’re caught on camera being wrong. (See Below)

So with my brain in a pretzel and my back against the wall, I made the argument that Wisconsin will still end up in the Big Ten championship and that I could be projecting. Dave gave me a “do over” and I said “I didn’t and wouldn’t put them in my top ten, I’d put them at 11.” My own spin-zone on a set where spin-zoning is second nature.

I don’t blame Dave for any of this at all. Content, content, content. He’s doing what he’s the best at and that’s what makes Barstool so successful. The argument we had in the office will end up on Stool Scenes, Instagram, whatever. I’m a big girl, I can handle myself.

But in all honesty, I don’t want to be involved in all the inner office drama. It’s not my thing. I came in to work this morning trying to do my job, drink my delicious Daily Harvest smoothie and mind my own goddamn business. But if we’re in the business of trying to make each other look stupid for content, I’d at least like to lay out the facts.

…if I have an issue with anything that happened around the CFB show this week, it’s this:

Right after filming, Tommy doubled down on the my top ten snafu and said “we’re all doing this as a joke and you actually believe it.” Usually the ole “you don’t know what you’re talking about” doesn’t play well when the person you throw that at could run fucking circles around you on the specific topic.

I don’t even know if he meant it. We all say things we don’t mean. But he definitely threw shade at a person his fearless leader hired literally because I covered college football nationally for most of my career. That’s what we call “getting a little too big for your britches.” But I digress.

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SATURDAY MORNING EDIT: Tommy and I have made up. It was a very testy week in the office, but this budding rivalry has been cooled off (for now).

I can’t wait for all the new lessons I learn!

(Don’t forget to tune in to the CFB Show on Saturday. #SaturdaysAreForTheMac. Also, we expanded Comeback SZN to two episodes a week. Monday recaps with Barstool, Thursdays with Johnny and EB. Never too much college football talk.)