- The 46-year-old businessman was at the game with his mother Linda and friends
- Michigan will play either Texas or Washington for the national championship
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Dave Portnoy – “El Presidente” of Barstool Sports – celebrated a huge $1 million payday on New Year’s Day after Michigan – his alma matter – defeated Alabama in the Rose Bowl.
The 46-year-old businessman was sitting in a box at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, with friends and his mother Linda when the Wolverines scored a touchdown less than five minutes into overtime to advance to the National Championship game.
“Okay, emergency press conference. Holy shit. I'm a million dollars fucking richer. We're going to Houston!' Portnoy said in a self-filmed video shared on X, also known as Twitter, after the game.
“Finally the Big Ten has given the SEC a punch in the mouth, watch out for your teeth to break.” A tale of two halves. We dominated the first, they dominated the second. We both made damn mistakes everywhere, but when it was on the line, […] It was the Michigan men who stood up and made plays when needed. '
Portnoy then quickly brushed off his six-figure win, telling his followers that “it's all about the elegance” before thanking “Roll Tide Willie” – a big Alabama fan on social media – about the outcome of Monday night's match apologized.
Dave Portnoy, 46, was in disbelief when Michigan beat Alabama in overtime in the Rose Bowl
“It's our damn time!” he added. The Wolverines will next face either the Texas Longhorns or Washington Huskies on January 8th in Houston, Texas.
Portnoy placed his bet on Michigan early last month, just six days after he vowed to quit gambling after losing a “monster bet” on an NFL game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills.
Shortly before, he faced some backlash for putting his Barstool Sports reality TV show “Surviving Barstool” behind a paywall.
On the last day of November, he revealed the reason for his highly publicized split from his ex-girlfriend and model Silvana Mojica, 28. The couple had been together for about three years.
The Wolverines scored a touchdown a little less than five minutes into OT to put the Tide away
Also in November, Portnoy threatened to sue the Cincinnati Bengals after losing a $120,000 bet to win against the Baltimore Ravens.
According to the New York Times, Portnoy collapsed into bankruptcy in 2004 after losing $30,000 in bets and $59,000 in credit card debt. He also once owed his father, a lawyer, $18,000.
Barstool Sports' former parent company Penn Entertainment denied these claims at the time the story was published in November 2022.