Temple University Student Suspended, Police Investigate Antisemitic Incident at Barstool Sports Bar
A troubling incident involving antisemitic hate speech has sparked outrage and prompted swift action from Temple University and law enforcement. A student at Temple University has been suspended and the Philadelphia Police Department has initiated an investigation after a vile antisemitic message was displayed at a Barstool Sports-branded bar in downtown Philadelphia over the weekend. The incident, which involved a custom sign bearing a hateful message directed at Jewish people, has drawn condemnation from university officials, the Anti-Defamation League, and Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, who has offered a unique form of restorative justice.
The incident unfolded at the Sansom Street bar, where customers ordering bottle service have the option of customizing a large sign displayed within the establishment. On Saturday, May 3, at least one Temple University student allegedly participated in an order to have the phrase “(expletive) the Jews” prominently displayed on the sign. The university and Portnoy confirmed this involvement.
Images of the offensive sign quickly spread online, triggering widespread condemnation and fueling outrage across social media platforms. The visibility of the hateful message led to immediate calls for accountability and sparked a broader conversation about antisemitism and the need for stronger measures to combat hate speech.
In response to the incident, Temple University took decisive action, suspending a student believed to be involved. The university issued a statement on Sunday, May 4, confirming the suspension and emphasizing its commitment to combating antisemitism.
The Philadelphia Police Department has also launched an investigation into the incident. Officer Miguel Torres confirmed to USA TODAY on May 5 that the department is actively looking into the matter. The police investigation aims to determine the full extent of the individuals involved and whether criminal charges are warranted.
Dave Portnoy, the 48-year-old founder of Barstool Sports, a popular media company, who is Jewish, responded to the incident with a mix of anger and a desire to address the underlying issues. He posted an expletive-filled statement about the event on social media on Sunday, expressing his disgust at the hateful message.
However, Portnoy also offered a more unconventional approach to addressing the incident, suggesting a path toward education and reconciliation. In a video posted to X on Sunday afternoon, Portnoy proposed sending the individuals responsible for ordering the sign to Auschwitz, the infamous Nazi concentration camp, in Germany.
"Maybe I can use this as a teaching moment," Portnoy said in his video. "More importantly, the people who ordered these signs, they have agreed − [and] I’m going to pay for it − we’re going to send them to Germany, to Auschwitz, [to] learn a little bit about history, and hopefully, you know, get educated and use this as a teaching moment."
Portnoy acknowledged the calls for severe consequences for the students involved, but he argued that education and understanding could be more effective in addressing the root causes of antisemitism. "So for everyone who wants these kids’ lives to be ruined – I think I think you can lay off and I think is a fair (expletive) trade," he said.
The bar, which is associated with Barstool Sports, also took swift action, firing the employees who complied with the customers’ request to display the antisemitic message. The bar management emphasized that such behavior would not be tolerated and that they were committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all patrons. The termination of the employees was announced in a post on the bar’s Instagram page.
Both the bar and Temple University have issued strong condemnations of antisemitism in their public statements. Temple University President John Fry stated, "In the strongest terms possible, let me be clear: antisemitism is abhorrent. It has no place at Temple and acts of hatred and discrimination against any person or persons are not tolerated at this university."
The Anti-Defamation League of Philadelphia also released a statement condemning the incident in a post on X on Sunday, reinforcing the message that antisemitism and hate speech have no place in society.
The incident at the Barstool Sports bar serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat of antisemitism and the need for vigilance and proactive measures to combat hate speech. The response from Temple University, the Philadelphia Police Department, Dave Portnoy, and the Anti-Defamation League demonstrates a collective commitment to addressing this issue and promoting a more inclusive and tolerant society. The incident also raises questions about the responsibilities of businesses in preventing the spread of hate speech and the importance of educating young people about the dangers of prejudice and discrimination.
