Dave Portnoy Sets the Record Straight on Grace O'Malley's Exit from Barstool Sports: 'I Defend My Friends'

Dave Portnoy is speaking out following Grace O'Malley's departure from Barstool Sports amid her falling out with Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia.

The Barstool Sports founder shared his thoughts in a video posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Dec. 17 and clarified that he did not play a part in O'Malley's decision to leave the company, despite rumors circulating online.

Related: Grace O'Malley Announces 'Last Day' at Barstool Sports: 'I'm Just as Surprised as You Are'

"Nobody could've figured this situation out when two best friends of 20 years get in a fight... and we're right in the f------ middle," he said. "I don't know what people want Barstool to do. It sucks [and] It's probably for the best that O'Malley goes on her way and who knows with Bri."

Portnoy shared some additional insights on the falling out between O'Malley and LaPaglia and noted that LaPaglia's ex-boyfriend Zach Bryan played a role in the breakdown of their friendship.

He recalled that LaPaglia went to him in October expressing her plans to end PlanBri Uncut, which she cohosts with O'Malley, to potentially start fresh since she and O'Malley "don't get along" anymore.

After he agreed to let LaPaglia end the podcast, he shared screenshots of his texts with O'Malley, where he made sure she "was okay" and she shared her appreciation to him for reaching out.

Portnoy explained that he "didn't hear much from Grace" after he sent the text and wanted to "give her space" to figure out her next move. A few weeks after their text exchange, he recalled that O'Malley intended to stay with Barstool and "start [her] own podcast," which he expressed his support for.

Related: Brianna LaPaglia Says Zach Bryan Relationship Led to Her Friendship Breakup with Grace O'Malley: 'I Lost My Best Friend'

However, Portnoy claimed that "everything went f------ sideways and blew up" after LaPaglia announced the end of the podcast on Dec. 6.

He noted that he was upset by O'Malley's statement about the podcast ending, in which she claimed she was "blindsided" by LaPaglia's announcement, because it brought more backlash to LaPaglia.

"I've done a podcast with [LaPaglia] for f------ four years. I'm friends with her and I defend my friends," he said. "[But] that doesn't mean I don't like O'Malley. I like [her], but O'Malley doesn't need defense right now. The entire internet is on her f----- side and the entire internet is going for Bri's throat."

Portnoy insisted that he didn't want to "pick sides" in the ongoing feud between LaPaglia and O'Malley and added that "I don't want this headache of being in between two life-long friends."

Reps for LaPaglia and O'Malley did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

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O'Malley announced her departure from Barstool Sports in a statement posted to her Instagram Stories on Dec. 16.

"I wanted you guys to hear from me first that this is my last day at Barstool," she wrote. "I'm so grateful to everyone at the company and to Dave for taking a chance on me. I'm just as surprised as you are there are no typos in this statement."

O'Malley originally joined Barstool Sports after LaPaglia asked her to cohost PlanBri Uncut in 2022.

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