Barstool’s Dave Portnoy Reads Handwritten Letter From Taylor Swift

Barstool Sports’ founder Dave Portnoy received a handwritten letter from Taylor Swift while attending the Eras Tour in Miami.

“I did get into the VIP section, which was amazing,” Portnoy, 47, shared in an Instagram video on Sunday, October 20. The internet personality went on to show his followers a letter that Taylor’s brother, Austin Swift, “hand-delivered” to him at the show the night before.

The note was written on personalized stationery that read, “From the desk of Taylor Swift.” According to Portnoy, who proceeded to read the card aloud, Taylor, 34, was referred to as a “songwriter and feline enthusiast.”

“Dave, I am so happy you are at the show tonight. I wanted to say thank you for always being so supportive, so loyal, for having my back when a lot of people didn’t,” the letter read. “I hope you have a blast tonight. Love, Taylor.”

Portnoy continued to recap his time at the “spectacular” concert on Saturday, October 19, the second of Taylor’s three Eras Tour shows in Miami. Taylor’s mom, Andrea Swift, gave him “a real hug” in the VIP area and they almost teared up. Portnoy gave Taylor’s longtime publicist, Tree Paine, a shout-out as well. (The podcast host said he was sitting next to Billy Joel at the show.)

Portnoy further explained that he decided to make this video after he was called out for being a “performative” fan — something he detested.

“I had the time of my life, I can’t over how unbelievable Taylor is,” he continued. “Performing three-and-a-half hours, day after day, flawless, perfect.”

Portnoy told viewers to “practice love,” which is also a message that Taylor preaches.

“Yes, I had the time of my life. Yes, I can’t believe I met Austin and her mother,” he continued. “This means more. To take time out to write a handwritten letter. … I’d say it’s one of the best nights I’ve had in a long time at this concert.”

Portnoy concluded: “I think for all Swifties, let’s just practice love and not this hate.”

Portnoy continued to practice love when he met up with coworker Kevin “KFC” Clancy’s daughter, Shea, after the show and gave her his Eras Tour jacket.

Since the Eras Tour started in March 2023, Portnoy has been passing around a hand-painted denim jacket for Swifties to wear at the concerts. Along with the jacket — which has its own Instagram account — comes a bag with letters that fans write to each other about their shared love for the pop star. Portnoy put his letter from Taylor in the bag.

Clancy, 40, called it an “all time Barstool moment” when his daughter met up with Portnoy at his Miami home to get the jacket.

“One time when Shea was a baby (Around the age of slide 7) Dave said he wanted aliens to abduct her out of her crib. Fast forward a little less than a decade and she’s picking up her 1 of 1 T Swift fit for her concert,” Clancy wrote in an Instagram caption on Sunday. “It’s basically like Fantasy Camp for Shea Girl. I think she’s convinced she’s like a part of the show now 😂😂 Thank you Dave and thank you @daveserasjacket for making it that much more special for her.”