By The Book Reviews

Review by By The Books Reviewer

Dave Portnoy's "Cancel Me If You Can" is a self-aggrandizing chronicle that purports to detail the meteoric rise of Barstool Sports from a humble Boston-based newspaper to a digital media juggernaut. Portnoy, known for his brash and unapologetic persona, spares no opportunity to trumpet his own achievements, often at the expense of introspection or nuance.

The narrative begins in 2004, with Portnoy distributing a four-page broadsheet, aiming to provide sports commentary that deviated from the polished presentations of mainstream media. This grassroots endeavor eventually morphed into a nine-figure enterprise, a transformation that Portnoy attributes solely to his own tenacity and vision. However, the book's relentless self-promotion becomes tiresome, as Portnoy repeatedly emphasizes his defiance against critics and his supposed immunity to the "cancel culture" that he claims pervades modern society.

While the book does offer some insights into the challenges of building a media empire, these are overshadowed by Portnoy's incessant need to settle scores and defend his controversial actions. His confrontational style, which may appeal to his loyal fanbase, comes across as grating and self-serving to the uninitiated reader. The lack of critical reflection on the ethical implications of his business practices and public statements is particularly glaring.

In essence, "Cancel Me If You Can" reads more like a prolonged exercise in self-congratulation than a substantive exploration of the media landscape or the complexities of modern entrepreneurship. For those seeking a nuanced and reflective account of building a media brand in the digital age, this book is likely to disappoint.

Recommendation: Not recommended.

written on: 7/9/2026