1. A big story in the sports media world over the past few days has been the revelation that Barstool Sports' Big Cat grew up a Boston sports fan despite being known as a die-hard Chicago fan.
Katz addressed all of this in a blog post and explained his side of the story while offering an apology.
I must be on a different planet because I don’t understand how, if you’ve been entertained by Katz or if you’re a Pardon My Take listener, this would make you turn on him, but there has been some backlash. For example…
I have written and deleted 500 tweets in an attempt to comment on this.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 15, 2025
I think @BarstoolBigCat is a tremendous talent. I'm just not sure who he really is now, which I think is understandable for anyone. https://t.co/SjqppSzVga
While being a Chicago sports fan is a big part of Katz’s persona, it’s pretty obvious who he is: an immensely successful and influential personality in the sports media world.
He’s one half of one of the biggest sports podcast of all time. He’s been an integral part of Barstool’s rise to digital dominance. I don’t understand how Katz being a Patriots fan as a kid changes any of this or makes you question who he is.
I get why people would feel duped, but that’s primarily about sports fans being a bit irrational more than anything.
Think about explaining this story to a non-sports fan. “Yeah, this guy who is immensely popular and has a massive following is a huge Chicago sports fan, but he used to be a Boston sports fan, so now people are turning on him.” It sounds deranged.
Katz’s biggest mistake, as he has said, was trying to hide this past fandom, but he did so as a means to help build a career. How can anyone argue that Katz’s move to become a Chicago die-hard hasn’t paid off?
What I found most ironic about this entire saga is that at the same time while some were questioning who Katz really is, Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh was citing Katz during a press conference.
Jim Harbaugh on Justin Herbert:
— Barstool Gambling (@stoolgambling) January 15, 2025
“I agree with @BarstoolBigCat … if you’re selling Justin Herbert stock then he’s buying”
pic.twitter.com/GBWU8sw2fU
If the tradeoff is that some wacky sports fan think you’re a fraud because you switched team allegiances, but you become one of the biggest and most influential sports personalities, guess what? We’d all do it.
Some are acting like Katz committed some high crime. The guy switched team allegiances. I hate to break this news to sports fans, but that really isn’t a big deal. I know people will use the regular buzz words like “fraud,” and “phony,” etc., but it’s just so silly. Katz was a Boston sports fan. He had ties to Chicago. He became a blogger for Barstool’s Chicago website and then immersed himself in Chicago’s teams. And all this led to the career Katz has now.
Good for him.
2. A brand-new Sports Media With Jimmy Traina podcast dropped Thursday morning and it features a conversation with The Athletic’s sports media reporter, Richard Deitsch.
Topics covered include why the NFL's playoff ratings have been down, NFL broadcasters; what Deion Sanders coaching the Dallas Cowboys would mean for networks; Tom Brady’s alleged “conflict of interest” as part Raiders owner calling a Lions game while trying to hire Detroit's offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson; a disappointing college football playoff rating; Notre Dame’s national appeal; the usefulness of NFL rules analysts in the booth; the WWE’s new partnership with Netflix and more.
Following Deitsch, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins me for our weekly “Traina Thoughts” segment. This week’s subjects include NFL betting, the NFL divisional playoff games, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo meeting Timothée Chalamet on the red carpet for A Complete Unknown, a new Jerry Springer documentary, Sal getting in trouble at home and much more. Plus, there is a surprise appearance from Russo.
You can listen to the SI Media With Jimmy Traina podcast below or on Apple and Spotify.
You can also watch SI Media With Jimmy Traina on Sports Illustrated‘s YouTube channel.
3. Here’s some content to celebrate the career of the great Bob Uecker, who died Thursday at 90 years old.
4. Cool stuff here from LeBron James, who took a minute after the Lakers’ win against the Heat Wednesday night to take a picture with a young fan who was in awe of the superstar.
LeBron's aura makes young fan cry 😭 pic.twitter.com/xgWFvd7EcJ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 16, 2025
LeBron meets the young fan after the game ❤️ pic.twitter.com/29jD7paIGf
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 16, 2025
5. Steph Curry staring down a couple of Timberwolves fans while his three-pointer was still in the air is so outstanding.
STEPH LOOKED AT FAN WHILE BALL WAS IN THE AIR 🤯
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 16, 2025
CHEF KNEW IT WAS GOING IN 🐐🔥 pic.twitter.com/V52y8nl3iF
Two Wolves fans sitting courtside, Paul Arnal and Daniel Charpentier, were chirping Steph Curry. Here’s Curry gazing their way as his late corner 3 is still in the air.
— Danny Emerman (@DannyEmerman) January 16, 2025
Charpentier: “I’ve seen him do that shit a million times on TV but it’s different when he’s staring at you.” pic.twitter.com/BXCrcif15r
6. How about some tennis with a WWE feel? Check out American Danielle Collins going full heel and taunting the booing Australian Open crowd after she beat Australian Destanee Aiava.
Danielle Collins’ reaction to the crowd after reaching Australian Open R3.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 16, 2025
She puts her hands to her ears.
Blowing kisses to silence the Aussie crowd.
The crowd immediately starts booing.
This is peak Danielle Collins 💀
pic.twitter.com/3geLLIdkXd
Collins then doubled down in her post-match interview, saying all the people booing are paying her bills. Love this!
Danielle Collins to the crowd after beating Aiava at Australian Open
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 16, 2025
“During the match I was like, while I’m out here I might as well take that big fat paycheck.”
The crowd is booing.
It’s all happening.
pic.twitter.com/b3pxejPHkc
7. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: The second season of The Sopranos aired its first episode 25 years ago today, and the story line to set up the demise of Salvatore Bonpensiero got under way.
Be sure to catch up on past editions of Traina Thoughts and check out the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify or Google. You can also follow Jimmy on X and Instagram.
This article was originally published on www.si.com as The Revelation of Barstool’s Big Cat’s Sports Fandom Shouldn’t Change a Thing.
