If you’ve tuned into Pardon My Take lately, you might have noticed a new voice—or more accurately, a new vibe—that feels a little different from the usual locker-room banter of Big Cat and PFT Commenter. His name is Zac. Just Zac. No catchy nicknames like "Billy Football" or "Jake the Nerd," though the internet is already working on that. Honestly, the rise of Zac Pardon My Take has been one of the weirdest, most organic things to happen to Barstool Sports in years.
He didn't come from a fancy journalism school. He wasn't a viral TikTok star. Basically, he just fumbled a job interview with Jon Gruden so spectacularly that it made him a legend.
The Jon Gruden Interview That Changed Everything
Most people get a job by being "polished" or "professional." Zac took a different route. He applied to be a producer for Jon Gruden’s YouTube channel down in Florida. He didn't get the job. In fact, the interview was kind of a disaster, but in the most endearing way possible. Gruden actually posted the footage, and that's when Dave Portnoy saw it.
Dave has this weird "eye" for talent. He doesn't look for the best resume; he looks for the person who is naturally, authentically strange. He saw Zac—this polite, straight-laced guy who seemed to be living in a slightly different reality—and knew he belonged at Barstool.
Portnoy flew him out for the NCAA tournament live streams. Zac had never even flown on a plane by himself before. Imagine that: your first solo flight is to go work for one of the most chaotic media companies in the world. He showed up, didn't really know what he was doing, and immediately won over Big Cat.
What makes Zac actually work on the pod?
It’s the lack of a "bit." In the Barstool world, everyone is playing a character. PFT is a satirical mastermind. Max is the screaming Philadelphia fan. But Zac Pardon My Take feels like he’s just... there. He's hilariously polite. He calls people "sir." He has a McDonald’s order that would make a nutritionist faint.
The fans are split. Some people find him "unwatchable" because he's so socially awkward it hurts to watch. Others think he's the greatest thing since the early days of Billy Football. The difference is that Billy eventually became "in on the joke." Zac still feels like he's just trying to survive the day without accidentally deleting the podcast files.
Zac Pardon My Take and the "Cream Team"
If you’re a deep-lore fan, you know about the Cream Team. Big Cat essentially adopted Zac and another guy named Jacob (who also failed the Gruden interview) and formed this little squad of misfits. They’ve been featured heavily on The Yak, and Zac has slowly migrated into the Pardon My Take ecosystem.
One of the funniest moments so far was during a Dungeons & Dragons segment. If you haven't seen it, Zac's inability to make a simple decision about a costume or a move had the whole room in stitches. It wasn't because he was telling jokes. It was because he was being 100% serious.
There's a specific kind of magic in someone who doesn't realize they're funny.
- He once referred to a date as a "1v1."
- He apologized to Hank after Hank stepped on his foot.
- He genuinely says "love you too" at the end of the show because he thinks that's just what you do.
Is he a permanent member?
As of 2026, it looks like he’s staying. He moved to Chicago with the rest of the crew after the big New York exit. While Jake Marsh left to pursue his dream of being a "real" announcer, Zac has filled that void of the "innocent" character who gets bullied (lovingly) by the veterans.
He’s a producer by trade, but at Barstool, your job title doesn't really matter. If the camera is on and you’re weird, you’re "content." Zac is content.
Why the "Hate" is actually a good sign
Go on the PMT subreddit and you’ll see threads titled "Zac doesn't belong." That’s actually the best thing that can happen to a Barstool employee. It means people are paying attention. The same thing happened to Billy Football. The same thing happened to Max.
The awkwardness is a feature, not a bug. When he interviewed Zac Gallen and asked him if he wanted ice cream, it was so cringe-inducing that half the audience wanted to turn it off, and the other half wanted it played on a loop. That’s the "Zac effect."
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you’re trying to follow the Zac Pardon My Take trajectory, there are a few things to take away from his "accidental" fame.
Authenticity beats polish. In an era of AI-generated scripts and perfectly edited influencers, someone who stammers and says "sir" is refreshing. If you're creating content, don't hide your weirdness.
Find your "Big Cat." Zac is funny on his own, but he’s a superstar because Big Cat knows how to poke and prod him to get the best reactions. Surround yourself with people who understand your "vibe" and can amplify it.
Check the "FAQ" episodes. If you want the full origin story, listen to the PMT episodes from mid-2025 where they go through the listener FAQs. They explain the Gruden connection and the Chicago move in way more detail than a tweet ever could.
Watch the "Yak" highlights. If you only listen to the audio of PMT, you’re missing half the story. Seeing Zac’s facial expressions during a draft or a challenge is where the real comedy lives.
The bottom line is that Zac isn't a "sports guy" in the traditional sense. He probably couldn't name the backup catcher for the Red Sox. But he's a "guy's guy" in the sense that he's just a dude trying his best in a very strange environment. Whether he becomes a Barstool lifer or eventually fades away, he’s already made his mark on the most popular sports podcast in the world.
