Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy drew a sharp distinction between accountability and cancel culture during a New York City event for his new book last week, standing up for free speech but rejecting the idea that the First Amendment can shield people from the consequences of what they say.
Speaking at 92NY, a cultural and community center known for its Jewish roots located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, “El Presidente” said that people can and should be criticized for making offensive comments, but argued it is a different situation entirely when naysayers decide they dislike a person first and then comb through years of old material in search of something damaging.
“If I say something really bad or offensive or racist or sexist, right now, right here, [I] should be held accountable for that,” Portnoy said in response to a question submitted by Fox News Digital at the event.
He emphasized that he believes in freedom of speech, but said there is no freedom from accountability.
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“You can’t just say whatever you want and then be like, ‘Hey, I can say it. Freedom of speech!’ I’m not saying you can’t say it. I’m not saying you should go to jail, but you can be held responsible, you can be criticized,” Portnoy said.
“And it’s real time… To me, that’s a big difference.”
According to Portnoy, there is one caveat, however: digging up dirt is acceptable if the subject is an elected official or running for office.
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“Now, politicians, it’s a little different. Like that lady just got elected and [it came out that] she’s pro-communist. We should know about that.”
Portnoy went on to blast past comments from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani-backed Democratic congressional nominee Darializa Avila Chevalier and Senate contender Aber Kawas that have resurfaced in the wake of their primary wins. He even flirted with the idea of throwing his own hat into the political ring, making it clear he was no fan of Mamdani.
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The “One Bite Pizza Reviews” host shared the stage with Erika Ayers Badan, with whom he goes way back. Badan is currently the CEO of Food52, but formerly served as the first CEO of Barstool Sports.
The two reminisced on both the good and bad times they shared running Barstool in a conversation marking the launch of Portnoy’s new book, “Cancel Me If You Can,” which tells the story of building the business. Portnoy observed that he has spent half his life making the media company into the powerhouse it is today.
He referenced a Jimmy Buffett quote that he said was supposed to appear at the start of the book but was left out, saying it served as a suitable summary.
“I’m so damn lucky to have an all-star cast. Some lovely, some crazy. Who ever thought this would last? You know if I hadn’t lived it, I’d read it myself,” Buffett wrote.
