5 Reasons Why Big Cat And PFT Commenter’s Netflix Deal Is A Game-Changer For Sports Media

Contents

The landscape of sports commentary and comedy has been permanently reshaped this year, with the biggest news centering on the dynamic duo of Dan "Big Cat" Katz and Eric "PFT Commenter" Sollenberger. As of late 2025, the hosts of the chart-topping *Pardon My Take* (PMT) podcast have cemented their status as media titans, moving beyond their Barstool Sports roots to sign a landmark, exclusive video distribution deal with a streaming giant.

This massive, multi-year partnership with Netflix, set to begin in early 2026, is not just a win for the duo; it's a profound statement on the future of how sports content is consumed. Alongside this monumental move, Big Cat and PFT are also celebrating the upcoming 10th anniversary of their show with a highly anticipated book, ensuring their topical authority and cultural relevance remain at an all-time high.

The Full Biography and Profile of the Pardon My Take Hosts

Dan Katz and Eric Sollenberger, known professionally as Big Cat and PFT Commenter, respectively, are the co-creators and co-hosts of the *Pardon My Take* podcast. Their success is built on a unique blend of satirical sports commentary, recurring segments, and interviews with major figures from the world of sports, entertainment, and politics.

Dan “Big Cat” Katz (The People’s Champ)

  • Real Name: Daniel "Dan" Katz
  • Nickname: Big Cat, The Cat, The People’s Champ
  • Date of Birth: January 30, 1985 (Approximate)
  • Current Age: 40 (as of late 2025)
  • Hometown/Base: Chicago, Illinois
  • Career Highlights: Co-host of *Pardon My Take*, Co-host of *The Yak*, co-founder of the *Barstool Sports* content empire, creator of recurring characters like "Billy Football" and "Hank Lockwood."
  • Net Worth Estimate: \$10 Million
  • Personal Life: Known to be in a long-term relationship with "Lady Cat" and is a father to one child.
  • Pre-PMT Career: Began his career as a blogger for Barstool Sports, gaining popularity with his witty and relatable sports takes.

Eric “PFT Commenter” Sollenberger (The Satirical Genius)

  • Real Name: Eric Sollenberger
  • Nickname: PFT Commenter, PFT
  • Date of Birth: January 31, 1985
  • Current Age: 40 (as of late 2025)
  • Hometown/Base: Known for maintaining a pseudonymous persona; frequently travels.
  • Career Highlights: Co-host of *Pardon My Take*, satirical sportswriter, former contributor to *SB Nation* and *Kissing Suzy Kolber*, known for his distinctive, often nonsensical interviews and use of malapropisms.
  • Net Worth Estimate: \$10 Million
  • Personal Life: Maintains a high degree of privacy, which is central to his satirical character.
  • Pre-PMT Career: Gained initial notoriety as a satirical commenter on the *Profootballtalk.com* website, which inspired his stage name. His early work was characterized by a commitment to the bit, blending real sports knowledge with absurd commentary.

The Netflix Deal: A Multi-Million Dollar Shift in Sports Podcast Power

The biggest and most recent news surrounding Big Cat and PFT Commenter is the announcement of a massive content partnership between Barstool Sports and Netflix. This deal signifies a pivotal moment for the podcasting industry, validating the cultural and financial power of independent-minded content creators like the PMT duo.

The agreement, which was announced in late 2025, grants Netflix exclusive video streaming rights for *Pardon My Take* and a select few other top-tier Barstool podcasts, including *Spittin’ Chiclets* and *The Ryen Russillo Show*. This move effectively shifts the video distribution of these shows away from platforms like YouTube and onto the world’s leading streaming service.

5 Reasons Why the Netflix Deal is a Game-Changer

This is far more than just a change of platform; it’s a strategic move that fundamentally alters the business model of sports media:

1. The Eight-Figure Investment Validates Podcast Equity: Front Office Sports reported that Netflix is paying Barstool an "eight figures" sum annually for this partnership. This colossal investment showcases that major streaming platforms now view established, high-performing podcasts as premium, must-have content, capable of driving subscriptions just like a hit TV series or movie. This sets a new benchmark for the valuation of audio-first intellectual property.

2. Exposure to a New, Global Audience: By moving to Netflix, *Pardon My Take* instantly gains access to the platform's hundreds of millions of global subscribers. While PMT already has a massive following, this exposure will introduce the show's unique brand of sports comedy and pop culture commentary to a demographic that may not actively use YouTube for podcasts, vastly increasing their topical authority and listenership.

3. Securing Video Exclusivity: The deal focuses on the video version of the podcast, which is crucial. As more people watch podcasts rather than just listen, securing exclusive video rights is a strategic play to drive traffic directly to Netflix. This positions the content as a premium, differentiated offering, rather than just another free video on the internet.

4. The Rise of the Podcast-to-Streamer Pipeline: This deal establishes a clear and lucrative pipeline for successful, independent podcasts. It demonstrates that the path to massive financial success for podcasters can now bypass traditional network television entirely, moving directly from a digital-native platform like Barstool to an OTT (Over-The-Top) streaming service like Netflix.

5. A New Era of High-Production Podcast Content: With the backing of Netflix, Big Cat and PFT Commenter will have the resources to potentially elevate the production quality of their video podcast, offering more elaborate sets, higher-quality visuals, and more ambitious remote segments and interviews, further blurring the line between a traditional TV show and a podcast.

The Next Chapter: A Book and 10 Years of Pardon My Take

In addition to the monumental Netflix deal, Big Cat and PFT Commenter have also announced another major project: a book to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the *Pardon My Take* podcast. The show, which debuted on February 29, 2016 (a leap day), has been a consistent force in the sports media landscape, and the book is set to be a definitive look at their journey.

Entities and LSI Keywords Driving PMT’s Success

The enduring popularity of the podcast is rooted in its unique ecosystem of recurring entities and LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords that fans search for and connect with:

  • The Recurring Characters: "Hank Lockwood" (producer), "Billy Football," "Jake Marsh" (fact checker), "Mount Rushmore" (segment), and "The Dan Patrick Show" (frequent interview spot).
  • The Catchphrases and Segments: "Awkward," "Saturdays Are For The Boys" (SAFTB), "Fyre Fest of the Week," "Football Guy," and "Take Quake."
  • The Topical Authority: The hosts cover the entire spectrum of major sports leagues—the National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Hockey League (NHL), and NCAA—with a signature satirical tone that appeals to a younger, digitally savvy audience.

This upcoming book will likely delve into the behind-the-scenes stories of their biggest interviews, the evolution of the Barstool Sports brand, and the personal dynamics between the two hosts. It will serve as a permanent cultural artifact of their impact, further solidifying their legacy beyond the daily grind of podcasting.

The combination of an "eight figures" Netflix partnership and a 10th-anniversary book ensures that Big Cat and PFT Commenter are not just surviving in the volatile media world—they are defining its future. They have successfully transitioned from niche bloggers to mainstream media moguls, proving that authenticity and a commitment to the bit can pay off handsomely.

5 Reasons Why Big Cat and PFT Commenter’s Netflix Deal is a Game-Changer for Sports Media
big cat and pft
big cat and pft

Detail Author:

  • Name : Clementine Ullrich
  • Username : joshua74
  • Email : hand.fermin@gmail.com
  • Birthdate : 1995-05-09
  • Address : 231 Litzy Fords Lehnerborough, SC 98371-7550
  • Phone : (854) 924-6131
  • Company : Langosh Inc
  • Job : Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher
  • Bio : Soluta eum optio ut itaque ut eius voluptas. Corporis natus est voluptatem consequatur nobis animi quod.

Socials

linkedin:

tiktok:

  • url : https://tiktok.com/@buckridgej
  • username : buckridgej
  • bio : Aperiam dolor pariatur est enim sed iusto. Numquam impedit ipsam maiores.
  • followers : 491
  • following : 1542

facebook:

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/jasmin.buckridge
  • username : jasmin.buckridge
  • bio : Consectetur doloribus illo ex. Nam et aut aut eius ducimus iure vitae voluptas.
  • followers : 6123
  • following : 1309

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/jbuckridge
  • username : jbuckridge
  • bio : Iusto mollitia voluptate molestias sed. Quos provident est molestias eius quidem non perspiciatis. Eum sunt nulla qui.
  • followers : 2261
  • following : 2602