Dave Portnoy’s book Cancel Me If You Can, will be officially released on Tuesday. Ahead of the book’s release, the Barstool Sports founder spoke to Front Office Sports about why he decided to take on the arduous project, his talent incubation philosophies, what drove Pat McAfee’s exit from Barstool, and how much longer the outlet will have an office in New York City.
Front Office Sports: You’re obviously very rich and famous. Writing a book takes a lot of time and emotional energy. What made you decide to want to do this?
Dave Portnoy: Well, it was kind of two-fold. One, it was pitched to me. For whatever reason, ego—the idea of walking into an airport and seeing my book in the window, or in book stores—appealed to me. I’m not sure why.
Two, when I agreed to do it, I thought I’d have a ghostwriter in Francis [Ellis], who works for me. We did have a ghostwriter—he wrote the entire book. It took around six-to-eight months. And then I readthe first paragraph and I was like, “Oh my God, this is not going to work. It’s not my voice. It’s not me at all.”
So then I was too deep down. I had all these commitments, and I had to do it myself. I’m glad it’s over but I would have never agreed to it if I knew what went into it.
