Dave Portnoy has publicly criticized internet personality Adin Ross after a fiery text exchange between the two regarding a controversy involving NFL player Puka Nacua and alleged antisemitism.

On Wednesday, Adin Ross released screenshots of a tense conversation with Portnoy. The altercation began when Ross urged Los Angeles Rams’ wide receiver Nacua to celebrate a touchdown using a gesture widely considered an offensive Jewish stereotype.

Specifically, Ross suggested that Nacua rub his hands together—a move the streamer often employs to mock a harmful stereotype about Jewish individuals—following a touchdown.

The incident drew Portnoy’s ire, particularly in light of the recent Bondi massacre, where 15 people lost their lives during a Hanukkah celebration. Portnoy condemned Ross’s suggestion, expressing his disapproval through text.

Portnoy has since reinforced his criticism, telling the Daily Mail that Ross’s actions were extremely inappropriate. He described the move as a “total a**hole move” by the internet personality.

Internet personality Adin Ross has revealed a heated text message exchange with Dave Portnoy over the antisemitic controversy surrounding NFL star Puka Nacua

During a livestream earlier in the month, Ross encouraged Nacau (right) to perform a touchdown dance which included an offensive Jewish stereotype

Portnoy took issue with Ross urging Nacua to perform the dance just days after a shooting at Bondi Beach killed 15 people near a Hanukkah celebration 

When approached for comment by the Daily Mail, Portnoy stated, “I thought the way he set up Puka Nacua, by telling him to do that dance, was a total a**hole move by him. Anybody with a brain knew that would cause a controversy. For what? So Adin could get a couple of clicks?”

‘I was very surprised he’d be that dumb since every time I’ve met Adin he, as well as his dad, have privately thanked me for standing up against antisemitism. 

‘Just seemed a really idiotic thing to tell Puka – who clearly had no idea what he was doing – to do, 24 hours after the massacre in Australia. It bothered me enough that I texted him about it.

‘Adin tried to turn it into a debate on Gaza and blamed antisemitism on people like me. It kind of went off the rails. In hindsight if I knew how Adin felt in the first place I never would have texted him. I didn’t realize I was dealing with an idiot. My fault’.

Portnoy’s response comes after Ross appeared on a livestream and showed off the heated text message exchange with the Barstool Sports boss. 

In the texts, Portnoy said: ‘Why’d you tell Puka to do that dance? Seems like an a**hole dumb thing to do’.

Ross replied and said it was ‘a joke’ and shouldn’t have ‘been taken too seriously’. 

Portnoy responded: ‘Yeah telling a dude to do an antisemitic td [touchdown] dance 5 seconds after 15 people get murdered in Australia surely wouldn’t be taken too seriously. Idiotic thing to do. You play both sides’.

Ross, on Wednesday, shared images of the explosive conversation during his livestream

The heated exchange saw Portnoy call Ross an ‘idiot’, before the streamer replied and said: ‘Not all Jews are bad but people like you give us a bad rep’

Portnoy claimed that both Ross and his father had previously thanked him for speaking up against antisemitism in America

In a string of messages, Ross then said: ‘No. We need to stop playing this victim card and be consistent with all sides, races, religion.

‘I’m Jewish just like you I celebrate Hannukah, Shabbat. There aren’t just Jewish ppl that live in this world’.

Portnoy replied: ‘You’re a Jew who wants the cool kids to seem like he’s a cool Jew. Suck kanye’s d***. Tell puka to do that dance. 

‘If you don’t think there is a difference between how Jews are being treated in the world vs 2 years ago you’re an idiot’. 

In another string of messages, Ross then said: ‘That’s the problem. We can’t take this s*** too seriously.

‘Our people are being hated. You need to add comedic light to show ppl we can take jokes. Not all Jews are bad but people like you give us a bad rep.

‘I’m sorry you feel that way. Id love to hear your full opinion but we need to add light not play the victim card. I’m a proud Jew, to stop antisemitism we need to add comedic light. Not play the victim here’. 

Portnoy then said: ‘There aren’t just Jews in who live in this world? No s***. 2. I give a bad rap? To who? Cause you and you dad both sucked my d*** and thanked me for speaking up last time I saw you’. 

Further texts showed Ross and Portnoy discussing the Bondi massacre in further detail

Ross, pictured with UFC champion Alex Pereira in August 2024, has previously faced scrutiny for platforming far-right provocateur Nick Fuentes among other polarizing figures

Barstool Sports boss Portnoy has regularly spoken out about antisemitism in America

In another clip from the livestream, Ross continued to show more texts. 

In those, after more back-and-forth, Portnoy said: ‘I said don’t tell puka to do an antisemetic dance 5 seconds after there was massacre in Australia’. 

Ross replied: ‘Obv [obviously] that’s horrible. Isn’t it sad how ppl r so fixated on the puka dance. More than the Australian massacre.

‘U don’t think I also thought that was horrible ?’

Portnoy replied: ‘I think you’re an idiot is what I think and don’t somehow realize not everything has to be a bit and there is a time and place for everything’.  

Ross continued by explaining that he and Portnoy had agreed to continue their conversation during a livestream.  

Just one day after appearing on Ross’ livestream, Nacua came out and apologized. 

‘When I appeared the other day on a social media livestream, it was suggested to me to perform a specific movement as part of my next touchdown celebration,’ Nacua began in a statement. 

Los Angeles Rams star Puka Nacua publicly apologized after he sparked severe backlash

Nacua scored a touchdown in his following game but swerved the controversial celebration

‘At the time, I had no idea this act was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people.

‘I deeply apologize to anyone who was offended by my actions as I do not stand for any form of racism, bigotry or hate of another group of people.’ 

The Rams also spoke out on the controversy in a brief statement, sharing: ‘There is no place in this world for Antisemitism as well as other forms of prejudice or hostility towards the Jewish people and people of any religion, ethnicity, or race.’ 

While he is Jewish himself, Ross has previously faced scrutiny for platforming far-right provocateur Nick Fuentes and an anonymous Neo-Nazi among other polarizing figures.

The online personality and N3on later attempted to enter the Rams’ facility to stream with Nacua there, only to be denied entry by the team.

Meanwhile, just one month ago, Barstool Sports boss Portnoy sat down with CBS News to discuss the rise of anti-Jewish hatred in the US.

Back in November, Portnoy sat down with CBS News to discuss the rise of anti-Jewish hatred 

The interview was filmed before Portnoy suffered antisemitic abuse days later in Mississippi

The interview came after Portnoy was targeted with anti-Semitic abuse in Starkville, Mississippi before a college football game between Mississippi State and Georgia.

‘I’ve seen in my own experience, just being Barstool, the difference between the hate I get – I mean, occasionally you get, “Hey k**e” or “Jew” or whatever. It’s every day now,’ Portnoy says in the video. ‘Like, there’s a definitive shift in what’s going on.’

Portnoy, who is Jewish, says he feels compelled to speak up against the cruelty: ‘For me, being a Jewish person, like, you got to step up.’

‘You’re kind of someone people look up to in the Jewish community. You have to be like, “Alright, this is not normal ha-ha with the guys.” People are coming up with real hate.’