Drew Brees, a $160 million rich Saints legend, demands an invitation from Bartsool’s Dave Portnoy after being ignored at a $1 million tournament.

Summary

Drew Brees, the legendary quarterback of the New Orleans Saints with over $160 million in career earnings, recently found himself snubbed from the much-hyped “Internet Invitational,” a $1 million golf tournament organized by Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy and Bob Does Sports, scheduled for August 12–16, 2025, at Big Cedar Lodge in the Ozarks . Feeling overlooked despite his substantial golf résumé—including strong showings at the Invited Celebrity Classic and a T‑6 finish at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am—Brees took to Instagram Stories to repost the tournament announcement and tag Portnoy with the cheeky plea, “@stoolpresidente, can I get an invite or what!!!” . This incident highlights the growing intersection of sports legends and influencer-driven events, raising questions about legacy, access, and the evolving landscape of modern golf entertainment.

I. The Man Behind the Legend

A. NFL Career Highlights

Drew Brees retired on March 14, 2021, as the NFL’s all‑time leader in career passing yards with 80,358 yards and 7,142 completions, ranking second in touchdown passes with 571 . Over his 20-year career—five years with the San Diego Chargers and 15 with the Saints—Brees was selected to the Pro Bowl 13 times and earned Super Bowl XLIV MVP honors when he led New Orleans to its first-ever Lombardi Trophy .

B. Off‑Field Success

Since retirement, Brees has parlayed his on‑field success into diverse business and philanthropic ventures. He invested in wellness franchise Stretch Zone, family fun parks Surge Adventure Parks, and the restaurant chain Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, while briefly working as an NBC broadcaster before focusing on his expanding investment portfolio .

C. Net Worth and Legacy

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Brees’s net worth stands at approximately $160 million as of 2025, making him one of the wealthiest retired NFL athletes . His financial success, combined with his storied career accomplishments, cements his status as an NFL all‑time great whose name remains synonymous with excellence and resilience.

II. The Internet Invitational: A New Era of Golf

A. Concept and Organizers

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy partnered with popular golf YouTube channel Bob Does Sports to launch the “Internet Invitational,” an invite‑only event combining professional golfers, internet influencers, and celebrity athletes for a high‑stakes competition . Portnoy, known for his irreverent media style, emphasized that “this isn’t your mother’s golf tournament,” promising trash‑talk, broadcast commentary, and a departure from traditional etiquette .

B. Format and Prize Pool

Scheduled for August 12–16, 2025, at the scenic Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri, the tournament will feature 30–60 participants competing for a prize pool exceeding $1 million, with Portnoy himself providing live commentary rather than competing . The event aims to go viral, blending influencer culture with genuine competition to captivate both golf purists and digital audiences alike.

C. Venue and Timing

Big Cedar Lodge, renowned for its challenging courses and natural beauty, teases additional expansions, including the new par‑3 Cliffhangers course and the extreme putting course “On the Rocks,” enhancing the tournament’s appeal to competitors and spectators .

III. Drew Brees’s Reaction

A. Social Media Call‑Out

Upon discovering his omission from the announced invite list, Brees reshared Fore Play Golf’s Instagram announcement on his Story and directly tagged Portnoy, writing, “@stoolpresidente, can I get an invite or what!!!” . This public nudge underscores Brees’s confidence in his golfing ability and his desire to remain part of high-profile, contemporary golf events.

B. Golfing Credentials

Off the field, Brees is no mere casual golfer; he has a reported handicap of +0.6 and routinely competes in prestigious charity and celebrity events . At the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, he finished tied for sixth alongside former MLB pitcher Mark Mulder, demonstrating that his competitive fire and skills translate beyond the gridiron .

C. Legacy at Stake?

Some fans argue that Brees’s storied football legacy should guarantee him universal access to marquee golf events, while others contend that the Internet Invitational’s focus on digital creators necessitates a different selection criteria . Brees’s bold request highlights the tension between traditional sports royalty and the fast‑evolving world of influencer‑led competitions.

IV. Dave Portnoy and Barstool’s Golf Ventures

A. Portnoy’s Track Record

Dave Portnoy has long intertwined sports passion with digital entrepreneurship, famously critiquing the PGA Tour and betting on major events while building Barstool’s podcast and video empire . His foray into golf reflects an ongoing strategy to merge entertainment and athletics, leveraging Barstool’s audience to elevate niche sporting events.

B. Building the Creator Ecosystem

By inviting creators such as Fore Play Golf and Bob Does Sports, Portnoy seeks to harness their collective platforms, ensuring the tournament’s reach extends far beyond traditional golf viewership . This approach not only democratizes the sport but also opens new revenue streams through sponsorships, merchandise, and broadcast rights.

V. Implications and Public Reaction

A. Social Media Buzz

Brees’s call‑out elicited mixed responses online, with supporters praising his competitive spirit and others questioning whether he should bend the invitation rules for personal status . Golf forums and X (formerly Twitter) threads rapidly mobilized, debating the merits of expertise versus entertainment value in modern tournaments.

B. Impact on Future Events

The incident may prompt organizers to clarify invite criteria or consider special exemptions for sports legends, balancing the lure of influencer engagement with respect for traditional credentials . It also spotlights the potential for friction when legacy athletes enter domains dominated by digital creators.

C. Broader Trends

This spat exemplifies a broader trend in sports: the fusion of influencer culture, high‑stakes competition, and fan‑driven narratives. As more athletes seek crossover appeal, events like the Internet Invitational may become proving grounds for careers post‑retirement, blending performance with personal branding.

VI. Conclusion

Drew Brees’s demand for an invitation to Dave Portnoy’s $1 million Internet Invitational underscores the evolving dynamics at the intersection of sports legacy, influencer culture, and entertainment. While Brees’s impressive golfing résumé and storied NFL career make his exclusion puzzling, the tournament’s unique focus on digital creators presents new challenges for inclusion criteria. Ultimately, this episode highlights the necessity for transparent selection processes in hybrid sporting events and signals a shift toward more inclusive, yet competitively rigorous, formats in modern golf.