Barstool Sports lost one of its own.
Production technician Jonathan Stanko died following a battle with cancer, founder Dave Portnoy announced in a tribute on social media.
He was 32.
Stanko announced in a May 2024 blog post that he had stage four stomach cancer and was given about 14 months to live if he didn’t respond to chemotherapy.
4 Jonathan Stanko died after a battle with cancer. Jonathan Stanko/Instagram
Stanko had been a production technician with Barstool since 2021 and was “well liked by literally everybody he worked with,” Portnoy wrote in a heartfelt post on X.
“It’s the 1st time we’ve had to deal with something this heavy in the 20 years of Barstool. A cruel reminder not to take a day for granted because tomorrow isn’t promised to anybody,” Portnoy wrote in a tribute to Stanko.
Other Barstool employees memorialized their colleague.
4 Jonathan Stanko worked as a production technician at Barstool Sports. Jonathan Stanko/Instagram
In a post on X, Barstool personality Dan “Big Cat” Katz called the loss “truly heartbreaking” and “incredibly unfair.”
“Stanko was the best and an important part of everything we do at Barstool. An incredible talent and great friend to everyone. We’ll miss him dearly. Rest in Peace and f–k Cancer,” he wrote.
4 Jonathan Stanko had worked at Barstool since 2021. Jonathan Stanko/Instagram
Producer Connor Griffin wrote on social media that he was “always inspired by Stanko’s work ethic and kindness.”
“Him offering to run the entire [Ben Mintz] Mintzy 10K while lugging a full-size camera really opened my eyes to just how much of a warrior he was,” he continued. “Truly one of Barstool’s best. He’ll be missed.”
Stanko previously worked at Iona’s athletic department as an assistant director of athletic communications before his time at Barstool.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Jonathan Stanko, a beloved member of the @ionauniversity and @IonaGaels family and class of 2014 alumnus,” the school’s athletic department wrote in a statement. “Jonathan dedicated more than a decade of his life to the athletic department, leaving a lasting mark on our community and the countless lives he touched. His kindness, unwavering dedication, and infectious spirit will forever remain a part of who we are.”
Steve Kultzow, who worked with Stanko at both Iona and Barstool, wrote emotionally about his friend.
4 Dave Portnoy was among those who penned emotional tributes. EMMY PARK
“It was an honor being best friends for 14 years. I couldn’t have asked for a better friend, roommate and coworker,” Kultzow wrote in a tribute.
Stanko is survived by his wife, Emma.
Barstool producer Jonathan Stanko, 32, dead after cancer fight
