by Dave Portnoy
First published 2026
Dave Portnoy chronicles his transformation from a gambler distributing four-page sports newspapers around Boston in 2004 to the founder of Barstool Sports, now a nine-figure media company. Portnoy argues that fans craved local, unfiltered sports commentary delivered in bar-room language rather than polished corporate takes. He traces Barstool's expansion beyond sports into betting, pizza reviews, and celebrity content creation, powered by personalities like his rescue dog Miss Peaches. Portnoy acknowledges his polarizing reputation and political controversies while maintaining his commitment to brutal honesty regardless of public opinion. He examines both his failures and successes, including toxic business relationships and personal setbacks that forced him to rebuild repeatedly. The book dissects the combination of hard work, timing, and risk-taking that drove his rise. Portnoy presents his story as neither traditional memoir nor business guide, but as documentation of his willingness to bet everything on his vision. He offers readers an inside look at building a media brand through authentic voice and calculated risks.
Genres: business, memoir, 21st-century
Vibes: fast-paced, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: personal-journey, rags-to-riches
Setting: Boston
Period: 2004
320 pages · Hardcover · Gallery Books