Barstool Sports Returns, Alani Nu Hates Fun, Red Meat Allergy Update

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Before I start, click here for the audio version if you’re on the go or don’t feel like reading.

GM,

The Barstool pirate ship has been taken back, bodybuilders be eating, and Alani Nu hates jokes. Slow week but I tried to find some interesting topics.

Also, I go over some of the red meat allergy details, including the claim that the COVID vaccines are being weaponized to make meat obsolete.

If you’re looking for a preworkout that emphasizes clean caffeine, mental clarity, and sick pumps, check out this week’s sponsor: Crystal Pump.

Some of the Monday Iron gang have already tried it and loved it, give it a shot. Use MONDAY15 for 15% off.

It’s not a preworkout, it’s an experience.

Thank you mustache man, let’s get into this week.

At a Glance:

Entertainment

• Barstool is BACK

Sports

• Slow Week in Sports: Everyone’s Eating

Business

• Alani Nu Sues Ryse For Copyright Infringement

• Crystal Pump Seeks New Manufacturer

Tin Foil Hat

• Weaponization of the Red Meat Allergy

Let’s get into it.

Entertainment

Barstool is BACK

The founder of Barstool sports, Dave Portnoy bought back 100% of his company for $1. Penn previously bought Barstool for $551 million over 2 equity sales.

The news came as Penn announced the start of a sports-betting partnership with ESPN. Penn was previously partnered with Barstool through Barstool Sportsbook for online and in-person betting; however, some of Barstool’s content and the target on Portnoy’s back from “journalists” at Business Insider and other legacy media companies were not good matches for a heavily-regulated business like gambling.

Aside from possible fines and other legal trouble, Penn’s stock price was heavily affected by any negative news about Dave Portnoy, whether truthful or just rumors.

Barstool’s creators also had to be extremely mindful of what they said in content because of what gambling regulations allow, even if their content had nothing to do with sports betting. Despite going their separate ways, Portnoy stated that there’s no bad blood between Penn and Barstool Sports.

It’s a great time for entertainment. One of the gamechangers in new media is back to being independent and Penn gets an $850 million write-off, everybody wins.

I’ve never really been a sports guy, so I never kept up with Barstool until everyone started crying about Dave’s union-busting tweets that were clearly jokes. After that, I learned more about Barstool, their story, and who’s out to get them. I’ve been a fan ever since.

If you’re already familiar with Barstool, this video of the announcement in the office is a very good watch.

I also really enjoyed the documentary they put together a couple years ago, it starts with the video below and the rest of the playlist should go automatically.

Sports

Slow Week in Sports: Everyone’s Eating

There must not have been a lot going on last week in fitness sports because as I was searching for stories, all I kept finding was “[Insert Name] full day of eating.

Personally, I think the Sam Sulek vlog is the best choice for a chill Sunday whether you’re playing it in the background or just want to relax.

Urs Kalecinski Full Day of Eating (Olympia Prep) | via YouTube

Chris Bumstead Full Day of Eating (Olympia Prep) | Via Generation Iron

Sam Sulek Full Day of Eating | via YouTube

Business

Alani Nu Sues Ryse for Copyright Infringement

This week, Alani Nu had the genius and fully original idea of promoting a mid product with a blonde in a bathing suit. Shortly after, Ryse Fuel created a parody of the photo to promote their own energy drinks.

These are the photos side by side, taken from the court documents.

A cease and desist letter was sent to Ryse, shortly followed by the filing of an official complaint and demand for a jury trial for “damages and injunctive relief.”

Alani Nu also sent a copyright takedown request to Instagram, with the photo being taken down the next day.

The complaint states that the photo is, “misleading advertising that is deceiving the consuming public into believing Ryse Up’s energy drinks are associated with or sponsored by Alani Nu.”

I’m not a regular Ryse consumer, but I have used both products and it’s not even close as to which drink is more effective and/or tastes better; Ryse kills it with most of the flavors and has effective ingredients.

You would think that a photo like this would be protected under parody law or something of the sort and you could just throw out the lawsuit; however, after reading more into the explanation, it’s very possible that this lawsuit has legs because of the following:

According to the Bloomberg article, Alani Nu stated that the alleged infringing image isn’t a parody and instead served a commercial purpose of generating recognition and sales of the competitive Ryse Up drinks.

Since they’re competitors with products in the same category, this has a better chance of being ruled as a deceptive action.

Personally, I think it’s ridiculous. Especially when you consider that Alani Nu is owned by Congo Brands, the company behind 3D Energy Drinks and Prime.

My sincerest condolences to the big corporation.

via Bloomberg

Crystal Pump Seeks New Manufacturer

Having been out of stock for weeks now, we finally have answers as to when the elixir that is Crystal Pump, may be available again.

Our boy Strongman Steve Hanna posted a video update on Instagram explaining that the manufacturer said the latest shipment was, “in the mail.” That was several weeks ago, and no messages have been received since then.

Working under the assumption that the new batch is not coming in and the manufacturers are crooked cucks, Steve is searching a for a new manufacturer that does smaller batches for premium blends.

Once that manufacturer is found, turnarounds can take several weeks.

Watch Steve explain it himself.

Tin Foil Hat

Weaponization of the Red Meat Allergy

I’m beating this story to death at this point, but I’m happy to be trying out a new form of content with monologues.

In this first episode of Rafi’s Desk, formerly Rafi’s Place, I discuss more about the natural and man-made causes of alpha-gal syndrome, and as I reference in the heading, the claim that COVID vaccines are being intentionally used to cause red meat allergies.

I’m starting a new column / op-ed / whatever this is. I wouldn’t recommend subscribing to the email list or YouTube yet, I’m just seeing if this new idea has some legs.

More topics and writing will be posted on my personal Substack, Twitter, and YouTube Channel.

Rafi’s Desk

As I mentioned on my IG story, I pulled a lot of merch from the Monday Iron store this week because some of the designs just weren’t holding up on certain shirts and mugs.

With the colder months coming up, I’m planning on doing a merch revamp with heavy oversized shirts and a possible re-up on hoodies once I get some more money around for it. Will probably use the MILF and FERAL designs since those seem to be best sellers.

The shirts I’m looking at are pretty sick; they feel thick, accent the traps and feel tighter around the neck, but still leave some mystery around the arms (No one can accurately call you small).

In terms of movies, I watched Rob Zombie’s House of a 1000 Corpses on Friday. I can’t recommend it enough as we head into fall. It’s another one of those fun movies with violence for the sake of violence, outstanding acting, and realistic horror that might actually make you uncomfortable.

Hope you all have a great week, let’s get it.

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