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Dave Portnoy's Memoir Reveals $600M Barstool Empire, Bombing Error

7/2/2026

Summary

Portnoy Releases Memoir

Dave Portnoy released his memoir “Cancel Me if You Can.”
He secured a seven-figure advance and notes Barstool’s rise to a $600 million company.
The book admits Barstool posted inaccurate Boston Marathon bombing info and donated Boston Strong shirt proceeds.
It recounts an employee forced to wear an “I Am an Internet Troll” T-shirt.
On June 30 2026 Portnoy told Amna Nawaz he trusts recorded interviews and says Barstool differs from mainstream media.

Summary

Portnoy Offers Deal

Dave Portnoy offered Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn a “rooftop meeting” deal of $500,000, 3.5 percent of merchandise sales and IP ownership after a shortened term.
In May 2020 Alex Cooper disclosed three-year Barstool contracts paying $75,000, $85,000 and $100,000 respectively, with her receiving a production bonus.
Dave Portnoy admitted leaking the dispute to The New York Post, which he says caused the duo to sever communication.

Summary

Portnoy Poaches Russillo

Barstool Sports hired Ryen Russillo (broadcaster) from The Ringer in 2025, bringing producer Kyle Crichton (Bill Simmons’s nephew) and beating Bill Simmons (founder of The Ringer).
After Russillo left, Bill Simmons reconfigured his Sunday NBA podcast with Zach Lowe (NBA analyst).
Dave Portnoy (Barstool founder) says he pursued Bill Simmons ten times before being declined and recalls that he, Todd McShay (NFL analyst) and Russillo worked at Portnoy’s radio station.

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Portnoy Releases Memoir

Dave Portnoy released his memoir “Cancel Me if You Can.”
He secured a seven-figure advance and notes Barstool’s rise to a $600 million company.
The book admits Barstool posted inaccurate Boston Marathon bombing info and donated Boston Strong shirt proceeds.
It recounts an employee forced to wear an “I Am an Internet Troll” T-shirt.
On June 30 2026 Portnoy told Amna Nawaz he trusts recorded interviews and says Barstool differs from mainstream media.

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