An antisemitic sign displayed during bottle service at a Barstool bar in Philadelphia over the weekend has led to employee firings, a university student suspension, and the bar company's owner offering to send the patrons involved on a trip to Auschwitz.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy addressed the incident, which went viral on social media after a video of the sign was shared. The sign, held up during service at Barstool Sansom Street, contained an expletive directed at Jewish people.
Portnoy, who is Jewish, said in videos posted online Sunday that the two waitresses involved in delivering the sign to the table were immediately fired.
After initial anger, Portnoy said he spoke with the individuals who ordered the sign and their families. He said he intends to pay for them to visit the concentration camps at Auschwitz in Poland as a "teaching moment" about the Holocaust.
Temple University confirmed it is investigating the incident. University President John Fry issued a statement Sunday stating that one student connected to the event has been placed on interim suspension while an investigation by the Division of Student Affairs proceeds.Portnoy mentioned that some individuals involved attended Temple.
Barstool Sansom Street released a statement Sunday afternoon on Instagram, stating the establishment deeply apologized for allowing hate speech to occur.
The incident comes amidst a reported rise in antisemitism incidents across the United States. Data released last month by the Anti-Defamation League indicated a record high number of such incidents occurred last year.
Portnoy said the customers involved agreed to the trip. He is reportedly in touch with Robert Kraft and his anti-hate group regarding the plan.
"In the strongest terms possible, let me be clear: antisemitism is abhorrent," Temple University President John Fry said. "It has no place at Temple and acts of hatred and discrimination against any person or persons are not tolerated at this university."
