Dave Portnoy Dan Katz Reject $10 Million Saudi Boxing Offer Amid Media Shifts

Dave Portnoy and Dan “Big Cat” Katz of Barstool Sports turned down a $10 million offer to attend a boxing match in Saudi Arabia, as revealed by Katz on their show Barstool Yak. The duo requested $15 million due to the extensive travel involved, but when Saudi officials declined to meet that price, they declined the offer. Although details about the specific boxing event remain unclear, this incident highlights Saudi Arabia's significant investment in sports, including hosting major events as part of their Riyadh Season festival under the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative. Katz also noted that part of the payment would have gone to Barstool Sports itself, not just to them personally. Despite the lucrative offer, the decision was purely financial rather than a principled stand, with Katz acknowledging Saudi Arabia's aggressive sports marketing strategy. Meanwhile, Barstool's new show 'Wake Up Barstool' has faced declining viewership, though this is unrelated to their Saudi negotiations.