CNBC’s Joe Kernen Gushes Over ‘Untouchable’ Barstool Founder Dave Portnoy: He’s ‘Bigger Than Life … I’m Envious’

Joe Kernen could not contain himself Friday morning, as he gushed and applauded Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy for his ability to avoid cancel culture.

Penn National CEO Jay Snowden joined Kernen on CNBC’s Squawk Box Friday morning, where they discussed the gaming company’s partnership with Barstool and its polarizing leader.

“He is a bigger than life character, obviously,” Kernen said. “And I’m envious of him because I see some of the stuff that he’s able to say and I don’t think I could even say one percent of the incendiary things that he gets away with. He’s almost too big to fail. He’s almost untouchable.”

Fans of Barstool and Portnoy remain steadfast, despite their numerous and vocal detractors. It allows Portnoy to say things unapologetically, while others in the spotlight aren’t afforded the same luxury.

Snowden said he trusts Portnoy and doesn’t worry about him damaging the brand. “Dave’s gonna be Dave, Barstool’s gonna be Barstool, we acquired Barstool to be Barstool and not to change them.”

“I live vicariously through him,” Kernen added. “I tweet some things that are similar to that and then I never go through with it. I say ‘no I can’t,’ I’m too afraid.”

Portnoy tweets A LOT of things, on a wide variety of topics. Kernen didn’t detail what tweets he wished he could have pushed the send button on. Portnoy has offered some right-leaning takes on Twitter in the past, but that’s not an area where Kernen struggles to share his opinion.

Watch above via, CNBC