Barstool Sports Founder Accused of Rape Loses Insider Libel Suit

Barstool Sports founder David Portnoy can’t proceed with defamation claims against Insider Inc., alleging the news outlet published false allegations that he sexually assaulted women, the District of Massachusetts ruled Monday.

Portnoy’s claim fails because the complaint doesn’t plausibly allege actual malice, which is the defamation standard for public figures, Judge F. Dennis SaylorIV of the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts said.

His invasion of privacy claim, which alleged the Insider published “highly personal” text and social media messages also fails because he had no reasonable expectation of privacy in them, Saylor said.

The suit, filed ...