Does Big Cat Own Part of Barstool

Does Big Cat Actually Own Part of Barstool

The short answer is no: Big Cat, the media and production company founded by Kitty Curzon and Michael Hirschhorn, does not own equity or a direct stake in Barstool Sports. Barstool remains founder-controlled by David Portnoy, with its majority owned by private equity firm Penn FC Manager (Centric Holdings GP). Confusion often arises because Big Cat produces Barstool TV content for platforms like Bleav, but this is a production and licensing relationship, not an ownership one.

Key Entities and Definitions

Understanding the corporate structures and relationships clarifies much of the confusion. Barstool Sports is a media brand built around a podcast network, social-first sports commentary, and a subscriber platform. Big Cat is a production company known for scripted and unscripted series, docuseries, and branded content. Bleav is a podcast network launched in partnership with Barstool and content producers like Big Cat. These entities interact through content deals, but they operate with separate balance sheets and ownership structures.

Barstool Sports Ownership and Control

Founder Control and Private Equity

Barstool Sports was founded and is majority-owned by David Portnoy. In late 2021, Barstool completed a minority raise with private equity firm Centric Holdings GP, operating through Penn FC Manager, which became a majority investor while Portnoy retained significant control and brand stewardship. No public equity trades on exchanges; ownership is private and concentrated. Day-to-day editorial and brand decisions rest with Portnoy and his executive team.

Big Cat’s Role and Content Relationships

Production Partnerships, Not Equity

Big Cat has produced segments and docuseries carried by Barstool TV and distributed through Bleav, but these are typically commissioned content deals. Big Cat licenses its productions to platforms; it does not take equity in those platforms. For example, Bleav podcasts are often produced by Big Cat under license, but Bleav remains operated by the Barstool entity under Portnoy’s oversight. This production-for-licensing arrangement explains many headlines about Big Cat “owning” content, while leaving ownership structures untouched.

• Content licensing: Big Cat produces shows carried on Bleav/Barstool TV
• No equity stake: Ownership of Barstool remains with Portnoy and Centric
• Editorial independence: Barstool retains full control over content and brand

Origins of the Confusion

Headlines and social posts sometimes describe Big Cat as having close ties to Barstool because of high-profile collaborations. When Big Cat produces a Barstool TV special or a Bleav original, readers may conflate production credits with ownership. Additionally, talent appearances and cross-promotion create the impression of deeper structural ties. In reality, legal entities, balance sheets, and board seats remain separate; Big Cat is a vendor, not an owner.

What This Means for Fans and Industry Watchers

For consumers, the practical takeaway is clear: you are supporting Barstool through subscriptions and engagement, while Big Cat receives production fees for its work. There is no ownership overlap that changes how Barstool operates or how content decisions are made. For industry observers, this distinction matters: production partnerships do not equate to control, and equity arrangements are defined by private documents and corporate filings, not by on-air branding alliances.

Quick Comparison: Big Cat vs Barstool Relationship

Bottom Line

Big Cat does not own any part of Barstool. The confusion is understandable given visible content collaborations, but ownership and control remain with David Portnoy and Centric Holdings GP through Penn FC Manager. Big Cat’s involvement is limited to licensed production services, not equity or governance. Understanding this separation helps make sense of how content moves between these brands without implying shared control.