Michigan Senate nominee and Portnoy trade insults over Wolverines cheating
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 18:32 · Archive
Abdul El-Sayed and Dave Portnoy exchanged hostile remarks after the Senate candidate joked about Michigan's football cheating scandal.
Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for Michigan's Senate seat and a University of Michigan graduate, made a joke about the Wolverines' cheating scandal, asking 'Is Michigan going to win a game without cheating?' Dave Portnoy, a Barstool Sports founder and keen Wolverines supporter, responded by calling El-Sayed a 'terrorist'. El-Sayed's Republican opponent, former Representative Mike Rogers, shared Portnoy's post and wrote that Portnoy 'is exactly right'.
El-Sayed escalated the feud by posting a video of Portnoy sprinting on turf, writing 'Meanwhile, here's [Portnoy] committing an act of athletic terrorism. Less pizza, more gym, habibi'.
The exchange followed Michigan's well-publicised sign-stealing scandal. The NCAA found that the programme had used an in-person scouting operation involving former staffer Connor Stalions to film opponents' sidelines. In August 2025, the NCAA imposed multimillion-dollar financial penalties, recruiting restrictions and four additional years of probation.
How it is being reported
- Dave Portnoy calls Democrat Abdul El-Sayed a 'terrorist' as they exchange nasty blows in college football feudAbdul El-Sayed, the Democratic Senate candidate for Michigan, took aim at Dave Portnoy's beloved college football team, sparking an ugly exchange with the Barstool founder.Daily Mail Sport · 12 Oct, 18:21
- Abdul El-Sayed feuds with Dave Portnoy over response to Michigan cheating allegation commentsAbdul El-Sayed mocked Dave Portnoy's athleticism after Portnoy called the Michigan Senate nominee a "terrorist" over a Wolverines cheating joke.Fox News · 11 Oct, 13:11
In this story: Abdul El-Sayed · Dave Portnoy · Mike Rogers · University of Michigan · Michigan
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