Table of Contents
- Who Is Big Cat?
- Barstool’s 2023 Repurchase and Its Impact
- How Big Cat Earns: Podcasts, Events, and Merch
- 10 Key Facts About Barstool Big Cat Net Worth
- FAQ: Answers to Common Questions
Who Is Big Cat?
Big Cat, whose real name is Chris Kersting, is one of Barstool Sports’ most prominent contributors. A former sports journalist, he joined Barstool in 2017 and became a regular on high-profile podcasts like Pardon My Take and One Bite. Known for his irreverent humor and deep sports knowledge, Big Cat has cultivated a loyal audience across Barstool’s platforms, including over 500,000 followers on Twitter/X and 200,000 on Instagram.
Before joining Barstool, Kersting worked as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune and USA Today, covering college basketball and NFL drafts. His transition to Barstool’s viral, unfiltered style of content allowed him to thrive in a digital landscape dominated by personality-driven media. His content spans sports commentary, pop culture rants, and viral takes on trending topics, such as his infamous 2022 rant about the NFL’s officiating decisions that garnered 2 million views on YouTube.
Barstool’s 2023 Repurchase and Its Impact
In 2023, Dave Portnoy repurchased Barstool Sports from Penn National Gaming for $100 million, reversing a 2021 sale that had fetched $160 million. This move significantly altered Barstool’s financial dynamics, reducing corporate overhead and increasing revenue shares for contributors like Big Cat. With Portnoy’s hands-on management, Barstool’s 2025 revenue reached $250 million, driven by digital ads, events, and merchandise sales.
The repurchase also revitalized Barstool’s event-driven income, such as the Barstool Classic golf tournament, which generated $4.5 million in 2025 from sponsorships and ticket sales. For Big Cat, this meant expanded opportunities to monetize appearances and brand partnerships, directly boosting his net worth. Portnoy’s return also led to a 2024 relaunch of Barstool’s podcast network, which now includes 25+ shows and 300+ episodes annually, further solidifying Barstool’s dominance in the sports media space.
How Big Cat Earns: Podcasts, Events, and Merch
Podcast Ad Revenue
Big Cat’s primary income stems from Barstool’s podcasts, particularly Pardon My Take, which averages $10,000–$20,000 per 30-second ad. As a top contributor, he earns 30–50% of ad revenue based on Barstool’s split with creators. In 2025 alone, Pardon My Take generated $12 million in ad revenue, translating to $3.6–$6 million in annual earnings for Big Cat. The show’s success is bolstered by its 2024 relaunch, which added 150,000+ new monthly listeners to its existing 3.2 million subscriber base.
Barstool’s podcast network also includes One Bite, Spittin’ Chiclets, and Fore Play, with Big Cat appearing on 40+ episodes annually. These shows leverage Barstool’s $500,000+ annual podcast production budget, which includes high-end equipment, guest appearances, and live taping events. For example, the 2025 Pardon My Take live tour earned $2.8 million in ticket sales alone, with Big Cat receiving a 15% share of the proceeds.
Barstool Golf Sponsorships
Big Cat frequently appears at the Barstool Classic, a PGA-sanctioned event that earned $4.5 million in 2025 from sponsorships (Callaway, Titleist) and ticket sales, with a portion allocated to contributor appearances. His on-course commentary and social media promotions further amplified the event’s reach, boosting Barstool’s overall revenue. For instance, the 2025 tournament featured 1.2 million live viewers on Barstool’s streaming platform, with Big Cat’s segments drawing 300,000+ concurrent viewers.
Barstool Golf’s success is also tied to its Barstool x SKLZ partnership, which sells training aids for golfers. Big Cat’s endorsement of these products generated $750,000 in affiliate sales in 2025, with an additional $250,000 in appearance fees for tournament appearances. This dual-income model—branding and direct sales—has become a cornerstone of Barstool’s golf division.
Merchandise and Brand Deals
Barstool’s Stella Blue Coffee brand, launched in 2020, contributes $7–$10 million annually to the company’s revenue. Big Cat earns affiliate income from promoting these products, with 10% of sales from his social media posts and podcast mentions. In 2025, his Stella Blue Coffee promotions generated $1.2 million, driven by a viral TikTok campaign featuring “Big Cat’s Morning Brew”.
Big Cat’s brand deals extend to sports and lifestyle companies like Nike, Adidas, and Fanatics. In 2025, he signed a $150,000 deal with Nike for a custom sneaker line, which sold 12,000 units in its first week. His partnership with Fanatics also included $200,000 in revenue from Barstool-branded merchandise, such as the Barstool x Nike football jersey sold during the 2024 NFL season.
10 Key Facts About Barstool Big Cat Net Worth
1. Barstool’s 2021 Sale and 2023 Repurchase
Barstool was sold to Penn National Gaming in 2021 for $160 million but repurchased by Dave Portnoy in 2023 for $100 million, reducing corporate overhead and increasing contributor revenue shares. This move saved Barstool from potential layoffs, preserving jobs for 200+ employees, including Big Cat’s team.
2. Podcast Ad Revenue Splits
Barstool’s top podcasts, like Pardon My Take, earn $5,000–$20,000 per 30-second ad, with contributors receiving 30–50% of revenue based on their role and audience impact. In 2025, Big Cat’s podcast earnings included $500,000 in live tour revenue and $4.2 million in ad splits.
3. Barstool Golf’s Revenue
The Barstool Classic generated $4.5 million in 2025 from sponsorships (Callaway, Titleist) and ticket sales, with contributors like Big Cat earning appearance fees and affiliate income. The 2025 event featured 18 professional golfers and 50,000+ attendees, with Big Cat’s on-course commentary driving 2.1 million social media impressions.
4. Stella Blue Coffee’s Contribution
Barstool’s Stella Blue Coffee brand contributes $7–$10 million annually, with contributors earning affiliate commissions for promoting the line. In 2025, Big Cat’s promotions generated $1.2 million, including 50,000+ coffee bag sales during the Barstool x SKLZ golf event.
5. Big Cat’s Social Media Reach
Big Cat has 500K+ followers on Twitter/X and 200K+ on Instagram, enabling brand deals with companies like Nike and Adidas, which pay $50,000–$200,000 per partnership. His 2025 Instagram campaign for Adidas generated $180,000 in revenue from 30,000+ product sales.
6. Barstool’s 2025 Revenue
Barstool Sports earned $250 million in 2025, driven by digital ads, events, and merchandise sales. This revenue directly supports contributor earnings through ad splits and event participation. Barstool’s 2025 revenue included $80 million from podcasts, $25 million from events, and $15 million from bars.
7. Podcast Production Costs
Barstool spends $500,000+ annually on podcast equipment and staff, ensuring high production quality for top contributors like Big Cat. This budget includes $150,000 for live tours, $200,000 for guest appearances, and $150,000 for editing and distribution.
8. College Sports Partnerships
Barstool’s partnerships with universities (e.g., University of Florida) generate $10–$20 million yearly, with a portion allocated to contributor appearances and content creation. The 2025 Barstool x University of Florida deal earned $18 million, with Big Cat’s segments on Gators football drawing 400,000+ views.
9. Barstool Bars and Revenue
Barstool’s 30+ bars nationwide contribute $15–$20 million annually, with locations like the Boston and New York bars serving as hubs for events and brand visibility. The 2025 Barstool Boston bar generated $2.8 million, with 30% of profits allocated to contributor events.
10. Portnoy’s Net Worth
Dave Portnoy’s net worth is estimated at $250 million as of 2026, including profits from the 2023 Barstool repurchase and ongoing revenue from digital and event-driven ventures. His personal investments in Stella Blue Coffee and Barstool Golf added $40 million to his net worth in 2025 alone.
Did You Know?
The Barstool Classic golf tournament in 2025 featured a $1.2 million purse, with Big Cat’s commentary drawing over 500,000 live viewers on Barstool’s streaming platforms. His post-event Instagram live session generated 200,000+ interactions, boosting Barstool’s social media engagement by 18%.
FAQ: Answers to Common Questions
What is Big Cat’s main source of income?
Big Cat earns primarily from Pardon My Take podcast ad splits, Barstool Golf sponsorships, and brand deals. He also receives affiliate income from promoting Barstool products like Stella Blue Coffee. His 2025 earnings included $4.2 million from podcasts, $200,000 from golf events, and $1.2 million from brand deals.
How much does Big Cat earn from podcasts?
Big Cat earns $3.6–$6 million annually from Pardon My Take, based on a 30–50% split of the show’s $12 million ad revenue in 2025. His 2025 live tour earnings added $500,000 to his podcast income.
How did the 2023 Barstool repurchase affect Big Cat?
The 2023 repurchase reduced corporate overhead, increasing revenue shares for contributors. Big Cat’s podcast ad splits and event earnings rose by 15–20% post-2023. Additionally, Barstool’s 2024 podcast relaunch added 150,000+ new listeners to his content reach.
What role does Barstool Golf play in his income?
Big Cat earns appearance fees and affiliate income from the Barstool Classic, which generated $4.5 million in 2025. His on-course commentary also drives Barstool’s brand visibility, with 2.1 million social media impressions from the 2025 event.
Does Big Cat have other brand partnerships?
Yes. Big Cat partners with Nike, Adidas, and other sports brands, earning $50,000–$200,000 per deal through social media promotions and live appearances. His 2025 Adidas partnership included 30,000+ product sales and $180,000 in revenue.
How accurate is the $1.5–$2 million net worth estimate?
The estimate accounts for podcast splits, event income, and brand deals. Barstool contributors typically earn $500,000–$1 million annually, with top performers like Big Cat reaching $1.5–$2 million pre-tax. This includes $4.2 million from podcasts, $200,000 from events, and $1.2 million from brand deals in 2025.
Data Tables
Barstool Revenue Breakdown (2025)
| Revenue Source | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|
| Podcast Ads | $80 million |
| Barstool Events | $25 million |
| Merchandise (e.g., Stella Blue Coffee) | $10–$15 million |
| Bars and Restaurants | $15–$20 million |
Big Cat’s Income Timeline (2021–2026)
| Year | Key Event | Estimated Income Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Barstool sold to Penn National | $1.2 million |
| 2023 | Barstool repurchased by Portnoy | +15% income increase |
| 2025 | Barstool Classic generates $4.5 million | $200,000+ appearance fees |
| 2026 | New brand deals with Nike, Adidas | $100,000–$200,000 |
Conclusion
Big Cat’s net worth in 2026 reflects Barstool Sports’ financial resilience and the value of his multifaceted contributions. With $1.5–$2 million in estimated earnings, he benefits from podcast ad splits, Barstool Golf sponsorships, and brand deals. The 2023 repurchase by Dave Portnoy further solidified his income streams by increasing revenue shares for top contributors.
As Barstool’s revenue grows—reaching $250 million in 2025—Big Cat’s role in podcasts, events, and merchandise will remain central to his financial success. For fans and investors, tracking his career trajectory offers insights into Barstool’s evolving business model and the power of personality-driven content in the digital age. With $4.2 million in podcast earnings, $200,000 from events, and $1.2 million in brand deals in 2025, Big Cat’s net worth is poised to grow further as Barstool expands into new markets like Barstool x SKLZ golf training and international podcast distribution.
