Why Dave Portnoy Called Commanders' Broadcast the 'Worst Big Game Call Ever'

By Abby Tegnelia

Contributing Entertainment Writer

Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors

Call it the "doink" that never happened, at least if you were listening only to the Washington Commanders' broadcast of its big win Sunday night, January 14, over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Announcers Bram Weinstein and London Fletcher were high-energy as they celebrated their team's making it to the divisional playoffs. Someone who was not impressed was Dave Portnoy, who was incredulous that the ball's "doink" off one of the uprights before making it in wasn't even mentioned during the hoopla.

The last-second field goal to win the game was one of the most exciting moments over Wild Card weekend, with Commanders kicker Zane Gonzalez converting a 37-yard field goal as time expired to clutch the win. For many fans, that win was enough.

Dave Portnoy looks on prior to Game Four of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics at American Airlines Center on June 14, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. "Worst game call... Stacy Revere

But Barstool Sports' Portnoy couldn't believe that what made the win extra-exciting — the fact that the ball almost didn't make it in — was left out of Weinstein and Fletcher's broadcast.

"Is this the worst big game call ever.?" Portnoy posted to social media. "They made it sound like Zane smashed it dead center. Didn't even mention the doink. F minus call."

Weinstein and Fletcher were too nervous to sit down as the ball was kicked, before celebrating that the ball was "GOOD!" Even though the ball's hit off the field goal was extremely loud, Weinstein ignored it and breathlessly declared, "The cardiac Commanders are the clutch Commanders! They do it again, we'll see you in Detroit!"

Known sports better and athletics fanatic Portnoy has never been shy to call out anything he finds unimpressive during his beloved games. Just two weeks prior, he called for the FBI to investigate the NFL after the Commanders' win over the Atlanta Falcons didn't go the way he needed it to. Instead, he didn't get his potential $359,891 payout on his $10,000 wager. He is also no stranger to drama surrounding how he runs his company, Barstool Sports.