Courtney Williams’ father openly criticized the involvement of Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy with his daughter and Natisha Hiedeman’s StudBudz stream, which took place during the WNBA All-Star weekend. The controversy escalated after Williams and Hiedeman announced plans to feature Portnoy on their show, sparking backlash from fans and family alike.
Williams and Hiedeman, both well-known in the WNBA streaming community, launched a 72-hour all-access broadcast during the All-Star festivities. However, fan sentiment quickly turned negative once they revealed their intention to include Portnoy, a figure unpopular among WNBA supporters due to his outspoken criticism of Angel Reese.
More than just fans expressed disapproval—Natisha Hiedeman’s father also condemned the move publicly, reinforcing the tension surrounding the situation.
“That shit ain’t serious to us at all. We just want to go light his ass up, that’s what we wanted to do, Angel [Reese]. We want to go in there and light his ass up and see what’s really happening, you know what I’m talking about? But, Angel man, do what you gotta do. Nah, Angel, we ain’t even messing with it.”
—Hiedeman’s father
Further emphasizing his stance, Williams’ dad revealed he withdrew his parental consent for Courtney Williams’ participation in the stream with Portnoy, insisting the situation is unacceptable.
“My issue, I unsigned my parental consent, like uh-uh I ain’t signing no more. You can’t go without a parent’s consent. So, that’s the deal. I cancelled it, it’s over.”
—Williams’ father
Dave Portnoy’s presence in the WNBA community has been contentious for several months, largely due to his frequent criticism of Angel Reese since her 2024 debut. His polarizing opinions have deepened divisions among fans, players, and families.
Courtney Williams Outlines Intentions for Upcoming Stream with Portnoy
Amid ongoing criticism, Courtney Williams addressed the backlash by revealing that she and Natisha Hiedeman plan to hold Dave Portnoy accountable when he appears on their show. They intend to directly question him regarding his comments about Angel Reese.
“Okay, so when Dave comes on, we’re gonna ask him, ‘Hey Dave, ‘Why are you talking about Angel like that?’”
—Courtney Williams
“Because we love her, bad,”
—Natisha Hiedeman
“Y’all see how simple that is?” continued Courtney Williams. “Y’all all over like here like, ‘No, no, no!’ We don’t run away from [this stuff]. … I don’t think he’s gonna deny it, he seems like the type of guy that’s gonna stand on what he feels.”
—Courtney Williams
Williams and Hiedeman’s willingness to confront Portnoy reflects their intent to openly address the controversy despite the widespread criticism from WNBA fans and figures close to the players.
Portnoy Responds to Criticism from WNBA Supporters
In response to the backlash, Dave Portnoy dismissed WNBA fans’ reactions as excessive, defending his right to express his opinions. He clarified his stance on Angel Reese while also expressing admiration for another prominent player, Caitlin Clark.
“People are big mad at Studbudz just cause we talked. W fans are freaking nuts. I got one of biggest megaphones in the country. I love them. I love the league. Yeah I don’t like Angel and I love Caitlin. It’s called sports.”
—Dave Portnoy
This response highlights the divisive nature of the controversy and Portnoy’s uncompromising approach to his commentary on the league.
Ongoing Fallout and Future Developments in the WNBA Streaming Debate
With Williams’ father revoking his consent and more fans voicing their displeasure, tensions remain high as the proposed stream featuring Dave Portnoy approaches. The situation underscores the larger clash between WNBA players, their supporters, and outspoken media figures like Portnoy.
It is yet unclear if Portnoy will ultimately take part in the StudBudz stream hosted by Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman. The unfolding events will likely shape discussions about boundaries, respect, and the role of controversial personalities in women’s sports coverage going forward.