Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy has eviscerated Zach Bryan, after the country music star broke up with his employee and friend Brianna Chickenfry.
Portnoy is never shy about sharing his opinions, and that was the case once again as he reflected on Bryan’s ugly break-up with the Barstool podcast host.
When asked if he was ‘officially a Zach Bryan hater now’ on The Unnamed Show, Portnoy said: ‘Mm-hmm. Yes. I was never a liker.
‘I think he’s a fraud. Every time I met him, I was not comfortable with him. He doesn’t put you at ease. There’s certain guys where you’re like, “okay, I kinda like this guy, he gives a good vibe guy.” He never gave that vibe to me.’
Bryan and Brianna, real surname LaPaglia, began dating in the summer of 2023 but called it quits this week, with the Barstool host revealing that she was left ‘blindsided’ by the announcement from the 28-year-old country music star.
Dave Portnoy gave his thoughts on Zach Bryan while speaking on Barstool’s ‘Unnamed Show’
Zach Bryan, pictured in February 2024, announced his split from Brianna Chickenfry this week
Immediately after the announcement, Portnoy took to X and said he was dedicating the Taylor Swift song ‘The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived’ to Brianna in a pointed dig at Bryan.
Barstool Sports chief Portnoy hosts the ‘BFFs’ podcast alongside LaPaglia and TikTok influencer Josh Richards.
DailyMail.com exclusively revealed on Wednesday that Bryan has been struggling to cope with the ’emotional rollercoaster’ he has been on since his mother Annette died in 2016.
‘Zach’s life has been an emotional rollercoaster ever since his mother died,’ an insider said. ‘Zach is dealing with mental health struggles.
‘His mom was his rock, and he was able to learn from her and her struggles, and now he doesn’t have that outlet. Brianna was someone who took on Zach on and dealt with all his struggles.’
Brianna said she was ‘blindsided’ as she addressed their split in an emotional video message to fans minutes after Zach announced the news in a lengthy Instagram statement.
‘Addressing something: Brianna and me have broken up with each other and I respect and love her with every ounce of my heart,’ he wrote.
Brianna claimed she was ‘blindsided’ by Bryan’s announcement, and Portnoy took her side
‘She has loved me unconditionally for a very long time and for that I’ll always thank her.
‘I’ve had an incredibly hard year personally and struggled through some pretty severe things. I thought it would be beneficial for both of us to go out different ways. I am not perfect and never will be.’
He continued: ‘Please respect Brianna’s privacy and space in this and if you have it in your heart, mine too.
‘With everything I am and to anyone I let down, I am sorry. I try my best in everything. I failed people that love me and mostly myself.’
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk