Dave Portnoy Responds to Zach Bryan After Diss Track Removal from YouTube and Spotify

Dave Portnoy Responds to Copyright Strike on Zach Bryan Diss Track

In a recent turn of events, Dave Portnoy, the owner of Barstool Sports, has publicly expressed his frustration following a copyright strike placed on a diss track aimed at country music star Zach Bryan. The track, titled “Smallest Man,”was a collaboration with TikTok influencer Josh Richards and was released on November 6, 2024.

The Backstory: Zach Bryan and Brianna LaPaglia

Zach Bryan’s personal life has been in the spotlight lately, particularly his relationship with social media personality Brianna LaPaglia, also known as Brianna Chickenfry. The two began dating in July 2023 and frequently shared glimpses of their romance on social media platforms. However, the situation took a dramatic turn in October 2024 when Bryan announced their breakup via an Instagram story, leaving LaPaglia visibly shocked. Following the announcement, she released a tearful video revealing that this post was her first indication of the split.

The Diss Track Upload and Immediate Fallout

Just hours after the diss track was made public, Bryan’s label, Warner Music Group (WMG), responded swiftly, issuing a copyright strike against the YouTube upload, thereby blocking it under copyright claims. Consequently, the track was also removed from Spotify. The copyright notice read, “This video contains content from WMG, who has blocked it on copyright grounds.”

Portnoy’s Outrage on Social Media

In response to the copyright strike, Portnoy took to X (formerly Twitter) to critique both Zach Bryan and Warner Music Group. He stated, “Zach Bryan and Warner Music must have the worst crisis management execs in the world. Running around like chickens with their heads cut off trying to erase Smallest Man from the internet. Did nobody tell them I run an internet company? They just guaranteed this thing hits #1.” His comments indicate a belief that the strike will only amplify the diss track’s visibility.

Zach Bryan and @warnermusic must have the worst crisis management execs in the world. Running around like chickens with their heads cut off trying to erase #smallestman from the internet. Did nobody tell them I run an internet company? They just guaranteed this thing hits #1 pic.twitter.com/iOtIs6Saty

– Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) November 6, 2024

Community Reactions and Additional Commentary

Following the diss track’s controversial release, social media users were quick to comment, noting the absence of a tag for Bryan in the BFFs podcast’s promotional material. One user pointed out, “Y’all aren’t even brave enough to tag him in the picture.” In response, Brianna revealed that she had been blocked by Bryan, humorously stating, “We’re all blocked.”

This incident adds to Portnoy’s reputation for calling out various individuals over the past year. Notably, in September, he confronted a radio host for disrespecting a Barstool Sports employee, showcasing his willingness to defend his team vigorously.

Conclusion

The conflict between Portnoy, Bryan, and WMG serves as a reminder of the often turbulent interplay between personal relationships and public personas in the age of social media. As platforms like TikTok and Instagram continue to shape celebrity culture, this saga is likely to evolve, drawing continued attention from fans and viewers alike.

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