Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has launched a scathing attack on cheerleader Jordon Hudson, telling her to "read the room" after she appeared to take a subtle jab at New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. The controversy erupted over the weekend as Hudson, 24, was photographed wearing a t-shirt featuring the logo of Orchids of Asia Day Spa, a massage parlour linked to Kraft's 2019 prostitution sting scandal.
Public Outing Sparks Controversy
On Saturday night, Hudson and her 73-year-old boyfriend, former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, made their first public appearance together since Belichick was controversially omitted from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The couple attended a University of North Carolina Tar Heels basketball game, where they were seen courtside enjoying the action during the college football offseason.
In images obtained by the Daily Mail, Hudson was captured snuggling up to Belichick while sporting a casual t-shirt bearing the Orchids of Asia Day Spa logo. The massage parlour in Jupiter, Florida, became infamous in 2019 when Kraft was charged as part of a multi-county investigation into prostitution. Police records indicate Kraft visited the spa twice within 24 hours in January of that year.
Portnoy's Furious Response
As photographs of Hudson's choice of attire went viral on social media on Sunday, just hours before Super Bowl LX, Portnoy did not hold back his anger. Taking to X, the Barstool Sports boss wrote: "This p***es me off. Not today. Read the room. F*** that." Portnoy, a devoted Patriots fan, made these comments shortly before New England faced the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl, marking his first attendance at the event after a seven-year NFL ban was lifted earlier this month.
Hudson has previously used her game-day fashion to send subtle messages, often showcasing eye-catching outfits to express support for Belichick. However, her latest courtside look seemed to suggest she holds Kraft partially responsible for Belichick's Hall of Fame exclusion, adding a layer of personal rivalry to the ongoing drama.
Background of Kraft-Belichick Tensions
Belichick served as Kraft's head coach for 23 years in New England, leading the Patriots to six Super Bowl titles during the Tom Brady-led dynasty. However, their relationship deteriorated over time, culminating in a split under seemingly bitter terms at the end of the 2023 season after the Patriots finished with a 4-13 record.
The pair reportedly butted heads over Brady's eventual departure in 2022, with Kraft keen to retain the legendary quarterback while Belichick favoured moving on. Since Belichick's departure early last year, both have taken subtle public digs at each other, with Kraft later claiming he fired Belichick after initially presenting it as a mutual decision.
Legal Context and Aftermath
Kraft pleaded not guilty to the charges related to the 2019 prostitution sting, which were eventually dropped after a court ruled that surveillance videos were inadmissible due to privacy violations and unlawful police tactics. The investigation involved the secret installation of video cameras in the spas' lobbies and rooms, uncovering allegations that numerous men had visited Orchids of Asia for sexual acts.
Hudson's apparent jibe is considered one of the most brutal public gestures in the ongoing saga between Kraft and Belichick, highlighting the deep-seated tensions that have persisted beyond their professional partnership. As the Patriots community watches these developments unfold, the incident underscores how personal rivalries can spill over into public spectacles, especially during high-profile events like the Super Bowl.
