Barstool Sports & ESPN - The Rise and Fall of Barstool Van Talk

[@michaellynch4073]

Fatty McEscobar is an all time line

[@SQUIGGAreal]

im glad this is top comment

[@benmecha01]

Much respect for Schefter, Van Pelt and the ESPN guys that stood up for the boys

[@petersnodgrass6568]

As an AWL I’m happy it got canceled ultimately

[@alexoneil1423]

As a South Sydney Rabbitohs fan, I too share this feeling

[@Utebearman5]

As a nationwide sports podcast fan, I agree

[@matthewberry509]

Fascinating to watch - really well done. Proud to have been a very small part of the show.

[@MambaMentalady]

Some would say the smallest part

[@JonTyson-lh9gm]

@@MambaMentaladystill a part of it nonetheless

[@natew.valentine4227]

I discovered PMT the week after BVT was canceled. I was living abroad and felt so alone. Depressed dudes talking about American sports was what I needed at that time in my life. More than I could ever explain. Haven’t missed an episode since.

[@tannerboss]

Hank in that leather jacket was maybe one of the funniest things ive ever seen

[@Tom_Swift]

lol dude so funny and didn't realize he weighed 105 lbs Looking like a 2010s french electronic DJ

[@quick8009]

@@Tom_Swift haha

[@thomasedwards2925]

So funny 😂

[@brycehart8253]

Still have the only episode to air saved on my moms DVR

[@harrisonf98]

Legendary

[@bucky3034]

The dramatic music while Erika is talking and big cats just pissing his pants with a fat chaw and dying laughing. Bravo editor/max? 😂

[@TheMikegfraser]

Nice one Hank. I don’t think the show would be the same anywhere else except inside the barstool universe. Love you guys.

[@joewyckoff4541]

PFT wearing a Mad Dog 20/20 shirt while saying “I’m not good at like planning stuff out and organizing stuff” is an incredible clip

[@TheJigglyJO]

Token CEO in the NY office with the construction workers takes me back. Warms my heart

[@Phamlee99]

As crazy as it sounds I can't picture my life without PMT as it stands currently. Thank you for all the positivity you bring into so many peoples lives

[@JMACishere]

No Dave in this episode is telling

[@gbone2636]

God I hope PMT is getting the fattest bag. PMT is a big part of Barstool's success, and Dave really doesn't even like to acknowledge it. He even said he has never even listened to an episode.

[@blakestillwell4295]

@@gbone2636 PMT is what made me a Barstool fan, so there's at least one testament to that statement

[@mikesheerin7607]

@@gbone2636yeah but Dave doesn’t listen to any barstool podcasts

[@MrSuperGould]

PMT and Pat McAfee are the shows that made me interested in Barstool

[@happygilmore710]

@@gbone2636as goofy as portnoy can be he’s not that stupid. He knows PMT is by far their top program and he’s said that before. There’s a reason Big Cat and PFT stayed after this debacle.

[@scottschaeffer2950]

Decisions like this give quite an insight into why even a Goliath like ESPN and others like it in network television ultimately declined. Out of touch decision makers choosing the easy out at any sign of potential conflict. Adapt or die slowly. (Also, the balls on Hank! Foxhole guy…)

[@1neOfN0ne]

Before Shane Gillis and SNL there was Big Cat & PFT and ESPN. Of course neither realized it at the time but getting fired from their "dream job" turned out to be the very best thing to ever happen to them. It's just wild to think about how similar their situations worked out.

[@kj726]

Can't believe this didn't include any mention to how McAfee was at barstool and basically went on to become what PMT was going to be on ESPN. To have Dave kill it and watch someone else accomplish it from basically the same position sucks.

[@1neOfN0ne]

Yeah but ESPN doesn't own McAfee's show. McAfee didn't partner up with ESPN until well after his show had been on for a couple years, gained a huge following and became super valuable on it's own. ESPN just made a deal with McAfee to air his show on their network but they don't own any of it. When Barstool was dealing with ESPN, ESPN had all the leverage so if they would have stayed with ESPN and allowed them to do whatever they wanted, barstool/PMT would have never blown up the way it did because it would have been an ESPN product.

[@AndrewWright1998]

@@1neOfN0neyeah like if it worked out with espn and pmt back in 2017ish they probably wouldn’t have the same level of freedom/ creative control that McAfee does today

[@AllenChevalier1]

Yeah no lmao

[@michaeltrujillo5421]

I’ve never watched Pat Mcafee, you know why? Who the fuck has cable? TV is dead! I hAvnt seen ESPN since like 2007. Boring ass network, ass load of commercials and ass sport coverage. Fuck ESPN AWL for life!

[@TehhHarm]

They don’t ever mention mcafee being a part of barstool originally

[@pablotorres8627]

Been loving these 30 for 30 type videos that give us the background into all the history of PMT

[@teamworkformyfrainds]

Dave Cancelled Barstool Van Talk

[@AllenChevalier1]

No the pill fiend John Skipper did. You're a special ed drop out.

[@Ugotbigdaddied]

Love that Hank is a ride or die for the Stool. Foxhole mentality

[@DA-lk5np]

Hank has no talent, zero charisma, and limited mental capacity- of course he is ride or die to his keepers.

[@Shueuwbd]

I didn’t want this to end! Great content

[@erowe404]

I had no idea who Big Cat, PFT, and Barstool were until I saw this show get in the news for getting cancelled by ESPN. I remember going on Barstool's website, doing about 2 minutes of research before coming to the conclusion that I wanted more content from PMT and Barstool. Literally, haven't missed a show in almost 9 years straight now. Long Live PMT!

[@FSUBrando]

This Documentary is my Godfather

[@burdawg3000]

lol DP definitely tanked their tv opp because he thought theyd leave the company for it and then the company would fail

[@RtheStory3333]

This is a wild theory, but makes perfect sense honestly

[@burdawg3000]

@@RtheStory3333 I don’t really think it’s wild. He lodged aimless personal attacks at ESPN women for no reason at a time where anyone with any brain for business, which he certainly has, would know definitely know not to do that.

[@SuperPsychicGamer]

Fatty McEscobar might be the best roast I've ever heard

[@Ghost-304]

Since watching from Day 1 and to see how far they have come over the years it’s definitely paid off for them . All the huge guests they’ve had on , the content they produced is legendary. They will definitely go down in history as one of the best sports shows

[@iMcD]

Damn, props to Hank for the loyalty. This makes Dave look pretty bad.

[@HoboSg]

Interesting that they didn’t interview Dave for this. Maybe there’s still some hard feelings that the show got cancelled

[@zeekot4064]

Yeah,no…. Big cat said he’s never leaving barstool so I doubt there is any hard feelings

[@absolutely__based1760]

I don't think Dave really gives a shit about anything barstool related anymore tbh

[@jc31_poog74]

Everything that cancelled this show is also everything that made barstool great. Fck espn

[@DillyBrew]

This kinda makes Pres look like the villain who ruined their dreams

[@blwilb91]

Exactly

[@zekebones34]

Well he kinda did

[@theodoreallen6866]

They make like 100k a week Lmaoo

[@WHITEboi633]

I can’t stand Dave

[@ChipSkylark696]

I didn’t get that from this video can you explain what I missed? Genuine question

[@afhyoutube]

Big Cat at the ESPN Cafeteria is ELITE content.

[@grandmastabrick]

Dave has to fiercely hold onto PMT because all of the rest of Barstool is pretty much going to die without it.

[@natevart4156]

True that the only other think on barstool that gets views is Dave’s pizza reviews lmao

[@jayhouss9937]

Dave definitely escalated things and blew this up. He can't see others succeed (see JJ)

[@kevinmunguia7381]

righttt

[@AllenChevalier1]

Meanwhile pmt is currently succeeding lmao. You make no sense

[@christophermiller2128]

I am LOVING this documentary. Thanks guys!

[@jackmatulka9620]

Dude I remember being so hype for the first episode of BVT right before going to basic training for the military, then 3 months later I was so fucking confused when my brother explained to me it got canceled after one episode

[@RossThompson-gi2ce]

So you’re saying Dave’s the reason Barstool Van Talk never happened?

[@AllenChevalier1]

No the female talent at ESPN did.

[@benmecha01]

Pardon my Take carried barstool to where it is…Dave might’ve carried early but Big Car carried the second wave

[@michaelwheeler6264]

And likely why Chicago move was made.

[@OllieDartzz]

Wow, credit to Hank for saving pmt at barstool. That's crazy interesting

[@Mattk65729]

The people commenting about Dave ruining their chances and being selfish, i don't think you quite understand how huge PMT got and how quickly their success came in the podcasting world. Its hard to imagine now given all their success in the media world. There was a 2-3 year window, when you thought of Barstool, the PMT emblem would be the primary association and I'm sure jealously played a huge factor after Dave worked building the Barstool brand for 10 plus years at that point.

[@kevingorski7322]

The van talk scenes are hilarious. Reminds me of those old espn commercials but better.

[@jonathanhotz4204]

Big Cat said to Schefter "think of it like 'this is Sportscenter', but us" referencing those commercials.

[@Spartan-301st]

Any episode that starts with a Michael Davies cameo is already a 10/10 banger

[@samrowland9551]

BVT getting cancelled is what made me start listening to PMT so I’m thankful 🙏

[@allencounts7873]

ESPN fumbled the bag

[@Borgman11]

4:18 new word dropped

[@gdm1799]

When are we getting one of these docs for Token CEO??

[@josephzuccarini8795]

loving the recent documentary style vids

[@andrewbrown8628]

What a cliffhanger. I was tight, won't lie hahaha

[@joelmorgan3970]

Love you guys❤

[@tomthomp9020]

Hank is a real one. Always has been, always will be.

[@22headcoach]

Big Cat’s mustache couldn’t be more dyed 😂

[@jgourno]

I think Dave was the man but now barstool is big cat and big cat is barstool

[@harrisonf98]

Ofc Hank was the only saying he relieved… it meant he had to do less work 😂

[@jamesshoquist6628]

These episodes are amazing.

[@justsplash14]

this has been great to learn the history of the show big W

[@michaelfiorilli3005]

My favorite color is gray

[@AaronPierce-ct9vu]

Greatest show that never was!! Love PMT 9 years running

[@colemanmarini3223]

Fuck yeah good time to refresh the feed

[@ohhbliviousgaming]

Great video

[@SantaIsSoFly]

Mannnn I love these guys

[@shoulderlabrum520]

Getting canceled was the best thing to happen to PMT!

[@mackenziemedlock]

"Is it dead?"😂

[@ericword6939]

Man. I remember all this going down. What a memory

[@mcolem05]

ESPN regrets that decision

[@jessehutchinson7539]

Show never had a chance. This was the best possible outcome for BS Van Talk.

[@jessietucker5997]

Solid production!

[@braydenstirman2367]

Octopus in a box will forever be an historic ESPN moment

[@williambrackin]

Erika mentioned “Burke” being in their corner. Burke Magnus is also the guy who has been championing the Pat McAfee Show and got Norby Williamson ran out of the building. Sounds like Burke is someone you want going up to bat for you!

[@christopherlord6766]

Glad to say I’ve seen the only episode aired. You’ll are 🐐 s

[@Bombsandoval3]

This was awesome

[@RunForrestGoForrest]

Octopus into the box still the funniest thing ever lmao

[@mattdieck7146]

Bad guy Dave? Suprised BigCat and Dave kept a relationship after that.

[@klucena8248]

Love how many people in the BVT announcement video are still there. Family

[@Krazyboi2]

22:06 that sigh from Big Cat was heart breaking.. you cam tell how pissed they both are

[@Chukars77]

Dave, Dave, Dave. ESPN and Dave cost em this show. But seems like it was for the better. Hank holding it down for Barstool! Great video boys

[@samuelyoseph25]

I still have my Barstool Van Talk shirt when it first dropped!

[@chilledpenguins8381]

Boy would I love to see the actual conversations that happened after BVT got cancelled. From the in house post mortems through to the following contract negotiations, i bet things were intense.

[@AstroBoy2020]

Not much of an AWL anymore, but was back in the day.. the show getting cancelled was the best thing that could’ve happened.. PMT was (and probably still is) so fucking good following the fallout with espn

[@connorsmith7951]

Hank a real one

[@Brutalboofs]

When is the next origin story?

[@danrozga196]

Are there going to be any other episodes?

[@teddyorted5926]

Ultimately one season would’ve been awesome , sucks Dave made it a barstool thing but mad respect to PMT and Big Cat for being able to get over that and sticking with the company despite it. Would’ve loved to hear what those convos between big cat and Dave were like sheesh

[@santino8066]

Look at ESPN now. It was OVER when bill Simmons was gone, jalen and jacoby. I even enjoyed Number Never Lie.

[@DA-lk5np]

Why is Hank getting credit? For being their lifelong charity case?

[@HillBillyGolf69]

This shit was 8 years ago?! seeing all these old clips make me feel old af

[@bigmak124]

Imagine the alternate universe where Dave didn’t sabotage BVT and Barstool didn’t limit the PMT orbit…McAfee leaving Barstool when he did was such a great move for him and his group of guys.

[@jeffreysmith4427]

great video - really wish you go to the fallout earlier in the run time tho, got more reactions from people who were around the shows development

[@Johnnyrg97]

Barstool had every right being endorsed and advertised through the show. It’s just business

[@tbd1012]

Leather zaddy Hank LOL

[@BurghMurph]

Hank is a real one

[@seanmackelly11]

All my homies hate Sam Ponder!

[@sportsologists9658]

Thanks for the laughs

[@jackpackage287]

I remember the days of watching SportsCenter 4 episodes in a row, Monday through Friday, for years. Now the only time I watch ESPN is for MNF.

[@brandongubitosa5316]

John Skipper lol

[@Ivypoison23]

Barstool walked so pat mcafee could run

[@Kingsy74]

100%

[@robertjordansmith]

Skipper was on that 👃 ❄️

[@RtheStory3333]

You can see how this still hurts them even 7 years after it happened. Hope they dive into how close they actually got to leave barstool

[@maxoldroyd9797]

Hank is always right.

[@lucassipe9448]

Dave is clearly portrayed as the bad guy lmao, this is wild

[@xavierjohnson4496]

All i know is the PMT guys are stars that got that McAfee trajectory written all over them if they want. If not independently headed that way. The show guys.

[@teamvlada8233]

Mutiny’s work!!

[@MambaMentalady]

Why is there not another episode yet

[@Krazyboi2]

Crazy dave stopped the show from being a thing, i truely dont think barstool would be half as big as it is without PMT.