Carton looks like ’Stool sample
BARSTOOL SPORTS would jump at the chance to hire Craig Carton, despite the former WFAN host’s looming legal challenges.
“He’s far from being hired, but we’re certainly talking to him,” Barstool founder Dave Portnoy told the Daily News.
Carton was arrested in September and is accused of running a multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme that allegedly bilked investors out of money they believed was funding a ticket scalping business. Federal prosecutors claim Carton was using the funds to pay off massive gambling debts. Carton could face up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of the charges he faces.
“The fact that he’s in trouble with the law does not scare me,” Portnoy said. “People make mistakes. But if he went to jail, he obviously wouldn’t be able to work with us. But that’s something that doesn’t particularly bother me.”
Carton pleaded not guilty last month and his trial is expected to take place next year. In the meantime, he started the “Hello My Name is Craig” podcast and launched an accompanying website. Carton’s talent on the radio was evident as the co-host of the “Boomer & Carton” show with Boomer Esiason for a decade, and Barstool recognizes it, too.
“He’s good at what he does,” Portnoy said. “He has told us his side of the story and if you take him at his word, we’re comfortable with what he said and my job particularly is about entertaining content, whether it be on the radio or the website or whatever. He’s awesome at what he does.”
Portnoy said he’s unsure of what role Carton would fill at Barstool.
Carton hinted at a big announcement coming soon at the end of his most recent podcast and this week he may have tipped his hand when he acknowledged the “Viva La Stool” slogan in a Twitter post when he posted “My motto for the day written simply on a hat.”
WEDNESDAYS FOR LAWSUITS: Barstool Sports says the NFL ripped off its “Saturdays Are For The Boys” trademark and wants the league to stop selling “Sundays Are For The ---” merchandise for all 32 teams.
“We are going to issue them a cease and desist today,” Portnoy told the Daily News. “It’s on. And if they don’t take them down, we’re going to pursue legal action.”
Barstool Sports and the NFL have had a contentious relationship over the years, and Portnoy was surprised and somewhat delighted the NFL may have opened itself up to legal action.
DTX Clothing tried to trademark “Sundays are for the boys” last year and the case is currently suspended. It is not known if the NFL trademarked its own slogan.
The NFL did not immediately respond to a request for comment.