Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports known for his pizza reviews, has recently become the unexpected savior of a local Baltimore pizza shop named TinyBrickOven. During his tour of Baltimore's pizza scene, Portnoy's visit to local eateries was covered by multiple outlets, including WMAR-2 News. According to the coverage from these publications, Portnoy was instrumental in critiquing the local pizza offerings and offering a financial lifeline to a struggling business.

During his stop at Frank's Pizza & Pasta, Portnoy's score for the pizza originally was going to be an 8.1, but after hearing the poignant history of the business, he bumped the rating to an 8.3. "This pizza was spectacular, light, crispy," said Portnoy, per CBS News Baltimore. Furthermore, he was thoroughly impressed with the shop's cheesesteak, rewarding it with a rating of nine out of ten. He emphasized the importance of the establishment's backstory, stating, "With the story, while depressing, he puts a very good spin, 'don’t take anything for granted, enjoy every bite,' I’m going 8.3."

The narrative turns when Portnoy visits TinyBrickOven, where owner Will Fagg candidly shares his financial struggles and impending closure. Portnoy's response was more than just critical feedback on the pizza. He extended a helping hand by gifting Fagg $60,000 to keep the pizza shop afloat for another year. "If there was somebody super rich right in front of your face who is in the pizza business, and by serendipity's like what do you need to stay open for a year, you gotta give him some figure," Portnoy inquired, as WMAR-2 News reported.

This act of generosity was documented in a video that captured Fagg's reaction to the unexpected gift. "People say it's a Christmas miracle," Fagg expressed, a sentiment detailed by CBS News Baltimore. The owner had been facing the tough reality of shutting down his establishment without financial assistance. Portnoy decided to support TinyBrickOven after noticing a sticker announcing the shop's imminent closure without financial aid. As he relayed to Portnoy, Fagg's dilemma was clear: "We're just not making any money, man. It's been crazy," due to challenges in acquiring a liquor license, among other issues. Portnoy's promise to step in and financially uphold the establishment was a boon to Fagg and the local dining community.