How a satirical 'loser' became one of sports media's most influential figures

History · Published 7 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Dan Katz, known to millions as Big Cat, built a media empire on irony and satire. From his early days communicating via Twitter to becoming a New York Times bestselling author, his journey from a Massachusetts native to a Chicago sports icon reveals the complex mechanics of modern digital influence.

Born in Newton, Massachusetts, on January 30, 1985, Dan Katz has become a central figure in the Barstool Sports ecosystem. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, he moved to Chicago in 2007. To better connect with his target audience, Katz initially downplayed his Massachusetts roots, working with Barstool founder Dave Portnoy to present himself strictly as a Chicago sports fan to avoid the fan backlash faced by previous local representatives.

Katz's rise was propelled by the February 2016 launch of the podcast 'Pardon My Take' alongside co-host PFT Commenter. The show, characterized by its satirical tone, achieved massive popularity on platforms like Spotify and Apple. His influence has been formally recognized by industry rankings: The Big Lead named him and PFT Commenter the top sports media talents under 40 in 2017, and Sports Illustrated identified him as one of the three most influential personalities in the field.

However, his success has not been without controversy. In 2023, the 'Can't Lose Parlay' promotion led to a fine from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission against Penn Entertainment. While Barstool argued the parlay was a satirical nod to Katz's reputation as a 'terrible gambler,' regulators maintained they had a duty to protect viewers who might not grasp the joke. Despite these hurdles, Katz continues to expand, hosting shows on Fox Sports 1 and publishing bestselling books, including 'Pardon My Book' in 2026.

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