Dave Portnoy, the creator of Barstool Sports, is reflecting on his rise to prominence in a new memoir titled “Cancel Me If You Can,” as reported on July 11, 2026, at 12:28 PM EDT by CBS News. The book chronicles his journey from leaving a sales job he disliked to building a media enterprise that began as a simple four-page sports newspaper distributed for free. Portnoy shared his early dedication with CBS Saturday Morning, noting that he was willing to work around the clock to achieve incremental growth, celebrating even the gain of a single reader at a time.
Portnoy emphasized that the core mission of his company remains to stay honest and authentic to its audience. To achieve this, he has focused on hiring talented individuals and providing them with the freedom to create. He specifically pointed to figures like Alex Cooper, who developed the successful podcast “Call Her Daddy” under the brand. Portnoy described his long-term vision for the organization as being similar to “Saturday Night Live,” acting as a platform where young comedians and talent can be discovered, developed, and eventually rise to stardom.
The business model involves signing talent to contracts with the expectation that they will grow significantly. During this period, the company monetizes their work, and once the contract concludes, the talent may either re-sign if the company can afford them or move on to achieve further success elsewhere. Beyond its media footprint, the brand has expanded its impact, such as through The Barstool Fund, which was launched during the coronavirus pandemic and assisted over 400 businesses in maintaining operations.
In recent times, Portnoy has also become more involved in the political sphere. He has publicly considered a run for mayor of New York City and has expressed support for various politicians, including President Trump. He described his political engagement as a “civic duty,” adding that certain political issues keep him awake at night and drive his desire to participate.
Addressing the release of his memoir, Portnoy clarified that he is not seeking validation from his critics. He acknowledged that he has accepted that those who dislike him will likely remain unchanged, regardless of his actions. While he found the process of documenting the founding of his company to be a positive experience, he does not intend to write another book. He expressed satisfaction with the final product, noting that seeing his work in an airport was a highlight, but he considers this a one-time venture.
“I don’t think I’m ever going to be understood by people who don’t like me. I’ve kind of come to that conclusion,” Portnoy said. “People like me will always like me. People who don’t, won’t. I could give somebody who hates my guts like $100 for free and they’d want $200.”
“When this was pitched to me, the idea of seeing my book, like in an airport walking by, I was like, ‘That’s really cool,'” Portnoy said. “I’m super happy it’s over, and I’m glad I did it, but I would never do it again.”
Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.