Bussin’ With the Boys is transitioning away from Barstool Sports, with co-hosts and former NFL players Will Compton and Taylor Lewan addressing their departure shortly after Dave Portnoy announced the news. Portnoy mentioned that a competing sports media company successfully attracted Compton and Lewan, who described the new offer as one they simply “could not say no to.” “We wanted to stay with Barstool,” Compton said, “and just like when we extended a couple of years ago, our intention was to remain with Barstool.”
Last week, Portnoy expressed his regret regarding Compton and Lewan’s exit, while also feeling pride that the company continues to be a talent hub in the media industry. Neither of the hosts wanted to leave, as Lewan stated, “We love being part of the ecosystem. The camaraderie, the locker room vibes at Barstool are unmatched. People don’t want to leave for a reason; we’ve positioned ourselves so that other sponsors see value in partnering with Bussin’ With the Boys.”
Negotiations reportedly began towards the end of Surviving Barstool, and from the outset, the duo believed it would take an exceptional offer to convince them to depart. Compton later revealed that they were open to taking a “hometown discount” to keep BWTB at Barstool, but Portnoy was unable to match their new offer, which was significantly higher. “Ultimately, it just didn’t work out because the numbers were so far apart,” Compton explained. As for what lies ahead, both Compton and Lewan remained tight-lipped, but rumors circulating on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit suggest a potential move to Underdog Fantasy, which has successfully attracted other Barstool alumni.
My guy 🫂
— Will Compton (@_willcompton) January 21, 2025
If these rumors hold true, Compton and Lewan would join an impressive array of talent at Underdog Fantasy, which has recently welcomed notable figures like James Palmer, Jay Gruden, and Colt McCoy. This addition would further enhance Underdog Fantasy’s reputation as a significant force in sports media. “It sucks. I made what I think was my most aggressive move to keep them,” Portnoy shared. “But this is the reality we’re facing. There’s always greater value for companies in hiring talent from outside rather than growing it internally.”
Bussin’ With the Boys may be stepping away from Barstool, yet Compton and Lewan’s chemistry and authenticity have established their show as a powerhouse in the podcasting landscape. They are set to demonstrate that their show is capable of thriving on any platform, not just under Barstool’s wing.
