Barstool podcaster and influencer Brianna LaPaglia has lifted the lid on her relationship with Dave Portnoy in the months after her split with Zach Bryan.
The 47-year-old Portnoy led an attack on Bryan after LaPaglia – nicknamed ‘Brianna Chickenfry’ – said the singer was emotionally abusive during their relationship.
The Barstool Sports founder released a diss song called ‘Smallest Man’ and repeatedly went after him in podcast appearances, calling Bryan a ‘scumbag’ and ‘a piece of s***’.
LaPaglia, 25, has joked before about people thinking that she is romantically involved with Portnoy but in a new interview with Elite Daily, she revealed their relationship is actually quite different.
‘He’s going to hate that I said this, but he’s like my dad,’ she said.
‘Sometimes he has a very hard head, and maybe we take different approaches to things, but I always like to get his input, because I think he’s one of the smartest people I’ve ever met — I trust Dave with my life.’
Barstool’s Brianna LaPaglia has lifted the lid on her relationship with Dave Portnoy
Barstool founder Portnoy was a huge support to LaPaglia in her Zach Bryan break-up
LaPaglia and Bryan, pictured at the Grammys in 2024, had a high profile split last year
LaPaglia used to co-host the Barstool podcast BFFS with Portnoy, but he stepped back from the show at the end of 2024.
She paid tribute to her boss after his final appearance, joking about the rumors that they might be together.
‘I know everyone thinks me and Dave are secret lovers but on a serious note, the past four years of bffs with has been a highlight of my time at Barstool,’ she wrote.
‘Sad to see him leave but very excited for what Josh and I have in store for bffs.’
Portnoy himself was also forced to address claims he was romantically involved with LaPaglia when Grace O’Malley left Barstool amid an apparent feud with LaPaglia.
‘Everyone knows Grace quit. I’m still getting DMs from people being like “Dave, you f***ing fired her. You’re a scumbag for picking sides,’ Portnoy said.
‘People are f***ing nuts. People posting pictures of my ex f***ing wife [Renee Portnoy] online, being like, ‘Oh she looks like Bri, so Dave’s in love with her.’ It’s f***ing crazy.’
