Girls Get in Free and the House Always Wins

People associate Barstool Sports with its charismatic and wildly entertaining founder Dave Portnoy but the company is run by an executive team of kick-ass women including CEO Erika Nardini, CFO Wajeeha Ahmed and CRO Deirdre Lester to name a few.

Penn National Gaming Inc. owns 36% of Barstool and its shares are traded on the NASDAQ Composite Index. Penn operates casinos and sports gambling facilities around the country including Hollywood Casino in Bangor, Maine.

At the Indianapolis 500 this weekend, Barstool Sports is throwing a big party for sports betters. For a $250 bet on a NBA game using the Barstool Sports book you get a ticket to the coolest rager in town with open bar, all your favorite Barstool personalities and free girls, apparently.

That’s what Dave Portnoy said on the Dave Portnoy Show with Eddie and Company, Episode 34.

“Girls get in free,” he said.

People mostly associate me with my trial work litigating civil rights cases and political commentary but my largest audience is as Smugsy (@SmugsyGirl), a fictional character who identifies as the Barstool Cougar. It’s a long story and started as a joke but the Cougars are a Barstool fan club for women who like dogs. Identifying as Smugsy is fun and empowering and the perfect excuse to get in a few glamor shots before I shrivel up like Rosalynn Carter.

“Girls get in free” has me stumped, but offended? I’m not sure.

First of all, how does letting girls in free make money? The “girls” I know drink A LOT.

And what about the boys? They appear to have a clear case of gender discrimination but what Stoolie in his right mind is going to cry foul over free booze and free girls?

The bigger questions are what does it mean to be a girl, why are they perceived to be so fun, and why don’t girls bet on sports?

Smugsy Girl is the leader of a group of women who like dogs. Does she have the right to get in free?

Should you?