The Unfiltered Truth: 5 Major Twitter Moments That Define Big Cat’s Barstool Empire

Dan "Big Cat" Katz, the gravitational center of Barstool Sports' content universe, continues to dominate the sports media landscape, with his X (Twitter) account serving as the primary megaphone for his takes, controversies, and major announcements. As of December 18, 2025, Big Cat's influence, extending from the highly successful Pardon My Take (PMT) podcast to the chaotic energy of The Yak, is at an all-time high, especially following a series of bombshell revelations and a massive streaming deal that has redefined his career trajectory.

The personality known for his sharp wit, self-deprecating humor, and passionate Chicago Bears fandom has cultivated a massive following of over 1.8 million on X, making every character of his posts a potential viral moment. Whether he is igniting political discourse with a single tweet or addressing an on-air controversy, Big Cat's digital footprint remains one of the most powerful and engaging in modern sports entertainment. The following is a deep dive into the man, his career, and the most recent, defining moments of his 2024–2025 Twitter presence.

Dan "Big Cat" Katz: Biography and Barstool Timeline

Dan Katz, universally known by his moniker "Big Cat," is one of the most recognizable and influential figures at Barstool Sports, second only to founder Dave Portnoy. His career is a masterclass in modern media, blending sports commentary, comedy, and a highly interactive social media presence.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

• Full Name: Daniel Katz
• Nickname: Big Cat
• Born: January 30, 1985
• Hometown (Actual): Newton, Massachusetts
• Hometown (Barstool Persona): Chicago, Illinois (a long-running joke/lie)
• Role at Barstool: Blogger, Podcast Host, Media Personality
• Key Shows/Podcasts:
  • Pardon My Take (PMT): Co-host with PFT Commenter (Launched 2016)
  • The Yak: Host (Daily live stream/podcast)
  • Barstool Rundown: Regular Contributor
• Career Highlights: Co-created the highly successful PMT, which has become a flagship sports podcast. He is known for his signature catchphrases, including "Awkward!" and "M.A.S.S." (Making a Statement Sports).
• Social Media: Over 1.8 million followers on X (Twitter) (@BarstoolBigCat)

The Netflix Bombshell: PMT’s Exclusive Video Future

The biggest news to rock the Barstool ecosystem in late 2024 was the announcement that Pardon My Take, the podcast co-hosted by Big Cat and PFT Commenter, had signed an exclusive video deal with Netflix.

The deal, which is set to begin in January 2026, signifies a massive shift in how the show's content will be consumed. While the audio podcast will continue to be available on all major platforms, the video version—a key component of the show’s popularity—will move exclusively to the streaming giant.

Big Cat took to his X account to confirm the "Major news," generating immediate and intense discourse among "Awkward Army" fans. The move is widely seen as a testament to the duo's mainstream appeal and their ability to transcend the traditional Barstool brand, placing them alongside major media figures on the world's largest streaming platform. This strategic partnership further cements Big Cat's status as a top-tier media executive and content creator.

• The One Where They Tanked Jokes 15 Shocking New Secrets From The Friends Tv Show Behind The Scenes G9zdh

Viral Controversies and The Power of the Tweet

Big Cat’s X account is not just a promotional tool; it is a live wire for cultural commentary and occasional controversy. His willingness to dive headfirst into polarizing topics often results in massive engagement, sometimes positive and sometimes requiring damage control.

1. The Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Comment

In late 2024, Big Cat sparked significant outrage following a risqué tweet about the relationship between pop superstar Taylor Swift and NFL tight end Travis Kelce. The comment was classic Barstool humor—edgy and designed to provoke—but it drew widespread criticism from both Swift's dedicated fanbase and mainstream media. The resulting backlash was a clear reminder of the scale of Big Cat's platform and the fine line he walks between comedy and controversy. He later addressed the viral tweet on The Yak, demonstrating his strategy of using his own shows to metabolize and comment on his social media firestorms.

2. The Pennsylvania Tax Stance

In a rare venture into direct political commentary, Big Cat used his X platform to weigh in on a proposed anti-tax message in Pennsylvania. He told his 1.8 million followers that "Politicians have a spending problem," echoing a sentiment often pushed by Barstool influencers. This tweet showcased his willingness to use his massive reach to influence socio-political debates, further blurring the lines between sports media and culture war commentary, a hallmark of the Barstool brand.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

The "Chicago Lie" and The Yak's Unscripted Drama

One of the most talked-about moments of Big Cat’s 2025 content schedule was the long-awaited revelation about his true hometown. For years, his persona was intertwined with the city of Chicago, fueled by his passionate defense of the Chicago Bears and his role in Barstool Chicago.

However, on an episode of The Yak, Big Cat finally "ripped the old band aid off," admitting he was born and raised in Newton, Massachusetts. While many long-time fans knew the Chicago connection was a bit, the official confession became a major viral moment. It was a perfect example of his content style: a long-running inside joke that, when finally resolved, generated intense curiosity and massive engagement across X and Reddit (r/PardonMyTake, r/barstoolsports).

Addressing the Ella Grif Incident

The unscripted nature of The Yak also led to a moment where Big Cat had to use his platform for accountability. Following an uncomfortable on-air exchange with Barstool staffer Ella Grif, Big Cat publicly apologized for downplaying her complaint. This moment—which was heavily discussed on X—underscored his role as a leader at Barstool and his commitment to addressing internal issues, even when they start as a live, unscripted moment that goes sideways.

Big Cat’s Topical Authority and LSI Entities

Big Cat's success lies in his ability to create topical authority by consistently engaging with a wide range of relevant entities, which are frequently mentioned in his tweets and shows:

• Sports & Media Personalities: PFT Commenter, Dave Portnoy, Rico Bosco, Adam Schefter, Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift, Patrick Mahomes, Dwight Howard, Arian Foster, Feitelberg, Waddle and Silvy.
• Barstool Properties: Pardon My Take (PMT), The Yak, Barstool Rundown, Barstool Chicago, Big Cat Corp, Mean Tweets.
• Current Events & Locations: Netflix, X (Twitter), Chicago Bears, Sports Betting, Newton Massachusetts, Pennsylvania Tax.

Big Cat’s X feed is a curated mix of sports analysis (like his "truth serum" Chicago Bears win total for 2025), self-aware humor, and promotional content for his shows. His ability to turn a simple tweet into a national conversation, whether it’s about a celebrity couple or a decades-long lie about his hometown, confirms his status as a titan of digital media. The forthcoming Netflix deal ensures that his influence will only grow, making his X account the essential place to follow the next phase of his Barstool empire.