Dave Portnoy on running "Barstool Sports" like "SNL"

Dave Portnoy, the force behind Barstool Sports, is sharing his entrepreneurial story in his new memoir, "Cancel Me If You Can." Portnoy, known for his viral pizza reviews and outspoken personality, detailed his transition from a disliked sales job to founding his own media company.

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I didn't care if I was working, you know, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; it was better than doing what I was doing.

He described the early days of Barstool Sports as a four-page newspaper he distributed himself. "Every day, I felt like we were making tiny steps," Portnoy told CBS Saturday Morning, emphasizing his dedication to building the brand from the ground up. His core mission for Barstool Sports, then and now, is to maintain honesty and authenticity with its audience.

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Every day, I felt like we were making tiny steps. They may be (a) reader one day, and we went to two the next.

Portnoy sought to emulate "Saturday Night Live" by creating a space where emerging talent could be discovered and nurtured. "I wanted young comedians, talent, to apply to Barstool, and then hopefully they become superstars," he explained, outlining a model where the company monetizes talent during their contracts.

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I wanted young comedians, talent, to apply to Barstool, and then hopefully they become superstars and some of them may leave.

Beyond the publication, Portnoy's impact extends to the Barstool Fund, which aided over 400 businesses during the pandemic. He also views engaging in politics as a "civic duty," driven by his concern over current events. Portnoy acknowledges that his polarizing nature means he won't win over detractors, stating, "People who don't, won't. I could give somebody who hates my guts like $100 for free and they'd want $200."

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I actually am like, up at night on some of the things that's going on in politics.