The infighting at Barstool Sports has continued as Kelly Keegs hit back after being taken off her radio show and branded ‘brain dead’ by founder Dave Portnoy.
Two weeks after chief executive Erika Ayers stunned fans by stepping down, Portnoy cancelled Barstool Radio on Monday because Keegs and co-host Francis Ellis refused to rehash company infighting and instead chose to discuss Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift coverage.
On Tuesday, Portnoy followed through with his promise, replacing Keegs and Ellis with a new show featuring Barstool personalities Kirk Minihane, Ryan Whitney and himself.
Keegs took exception to one message on social media, when she was accused of not ‘realizing what Barstool Radio was’ and trying to ‘make it her own show’.
She responded by accusing co-workers of ‘lying to her face’ and releasing an email she sent to her fellow employees.
Co-hosts Kelly Keegs (left) and Francis Ellis (right) were recently replaced on Barstool Radio
Dave Portnoy cancelled Barstool Radio because they refused to rehash company infighting
‘Sick of this narrative. Here’s the email I sent everyone on 1/8 after long (conversations) with everyone involved,’ Keegs wrote on X. ‘Nothing but support all around. Clearly everyone lied to my face.’
Keegs’ email detailed the format, content and cast of the show. She promised to ‘keep the Barstool Drama involved’ but said she wanted ‘to model this show after a typical talk show.’
Within a few weeks, however, Barstool founder Portnoy had torn into Keegs on social media and canceled Barstool Radio ‘until further notice.’
‘These two might be the most tone deaf, brain dead, idiotic…,’ Portnoy said. ‘Francis and Kelly are the wrong people. Go back to blogging.’
Portnoy complained that he ‘had no choice but to cancel’ Barstool Radio after Keegs and Francis spent the bulk of one episode discussing Swift and Kelce, rather than Keegs’ personal rivalry with another website personality known as Ohio’s Tate.
According to the New York Post, Keegs and Ohio’s Tate have been at odds over his criticism of her work ethic.
Portnoy was upset that Keegs didn’t want to continue discussing the happenings at Barstool