The breakup of a best friendship is always tough, but when it happens in the public eye and involves a wildly popular podcast, it becomes a full-blown drama. That’s exactly what unfolded with Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn, the original co-hosts of the sensational “Call Her Daddy” podcast. For years, fans were captivated by their unfiltered takes on sex, dating, and relationships. But in 2020, the podcast world was rocked when the duo dramatically split, leaving listeners wondering: What Happened With Alex Cooper And Sofia?
This article delves into the intricate details of the “Call Her Daddy” drama, exploring the contract disputes, personal rifts, and public fallout that led to the end of their partnership. We’ll unpack Sofia Franklyn’s perspective, drawn from a recent interview, to understand the complexities of their separation and the aftermath for both personalities.
The Genesis of “Call Her Daddy” and Initial Barstool Days
In 2018, Sofia Franklyn and Alex Cooper, then roommates and close friends in New York City, were approached by Barstool Sports to bring their burgeoning podcast to a larger platform. For Franklyn, the offer was a thrilling escape from her finance job and a $40,000 annual salary. She admitted to Rolling Stone that she was “probably a little naïve” about Barstool’s culture but was excited to pursue podcasting full-time.
Initially recording in Barstool’s NYC office, the “Call Her Daddy” podcast quickly gained traction. The pair’s chemistry and candid discussions on traditionally taboo topics resonated with a massive audience. They covered everything from dating mishaps and relationship advice to explicit stories about sex, creating a unique and engaging listening experience.
[ ](Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn co-hosted Call Her Daddy podcast, photographed in Flatiron District, New York, 2019)
Image alt text: Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn co-hosted Call Her Daddy podcast, photographed in Flatiron District, New York, 2019
The podcast’s success was undeniable. By May 2020, The New York Times reported “Call Her Daddy” was among the top 20 podcasts on Apple Podcasts, boasting a meteoric rise from 12,000 to two million downloads in just two months. “Call Her Daddy” became a cultural phenomenon, and Sofia and Alex were at the center of it all.
Contract Renegotiations and the Rift
The turning point arrived in April 2020 when “Call Her Daddy” abruptly stopped releasing new episodes. Listeners sensed trouble, and a month later, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy addressed the situation in a 30-minute podcast episode. He laid out his version of events, detailing the contract renegotiations with Franklyn and Cooper.
Portnoy claimed he offered a lucrative new contract, reportedly $500,000 annually, plus bonuses. He stated that Alex Cooper was inclined to accept, but Sofia Franklyn was not. This public disclosure exposed the growing tensions between the co-hosts and marked the beginning of the public unraveling of their partnership.
From Sofia Franklyn’s perspective, the breakdown stemmed from a pivotal conversation during the contract negotiations. She believed she and Cooper were aligned in their expectations for a new deal with Barstool. However, she described a sudden and significant shift in Cooper’s stance, leaving Franklyn feeling “confused” as they were initially hired and operated as a team.
Franklyn recounted to Rolling Stone, “Everything that we had been working toward and planning for the last half a year to year was all of a sudden not the plan anymore and [Cooper thought] we needed to just stay with this company and do what [Portnoy] was saying.” She later discovered what she felt was a hidden relationship between Cooper and Portnoy, stating, “I found out later [Cooper and Portnoy] 1,000% had this relationship that I wasn’t aware of and not a part of.”
[ ](Sofia Franklyn, host of Sofia with an F podcast, poses for portrait. )
Image alt text: Sofia Franklyn, podcast host of Sofia with an F, in a portrait, reflecting on her career journey post-Call Her Daddy.
The Sticking Points: IP Rights and Revenue Splits
Intellectual property (IP) rights became a major point of contention in the contract negotiations. Franklyn and Cooper initially aimed to retain ownership of the “Call Her Daddy” IP. Staying one more year with Barstool would have allowed them to collectively own their IP and potentially take the podcast elsewhere in 2021. However, with their united front fractured, this plan became increasingly complicated.
Franklyn also raised concerns about Barstool retaining 100% of alcohol rights associated with “Call Her Daddy” in perpetuity. She questioned the fairness of this arrangement, especially if the brand expanded into lucrative ventures like branded alcoholic beverages.
Merchandise revenue splits were another source of frustration. Franklyn stated that each co-host initially received only 2.5% of merchandise sales, a figure she found disproportionately low considering the massive sales generated, sometimes citing a hoodie that earned $1 million. While the new contract proposed to increase their percentage to around 7% each, Franklyn still deemed it insufficient.
Public Fallout and Sofia’s Silence
The public split triggered a wave of online backlash, primarily directed at Sofia Franklyn. Dave Portnoy publicly labeled both women “unprofessional, disloyal, and greedy,” further fueling negative sentiment towards Franklyn. The narrative that emerged positioned Franklyn as the antagonist, driven by her boyfriend, Peter Nelson, then an HBO Sports executive, to shop the podcast to other media companies.
[ ](Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy attends NBA Finals game in Boston, 2022.)
Image alt text: Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy watches NBA Finals game in Boston, 2022, amidst controversies surrounding Call Her Daddy split.
Faced with intense internet vitriol, Franklyn retreated from the public eye, leaving her shared apartment with Cooper in New York City and seeking refuge with family in Utah. She chose silence initially, but felt somewhat “silenced” by the overwhelmingly negative voices dominating the online discourse. “When everything went down, I actually was silent. That’s what I wanted,” Franklyn told Rolling Stone. “But people with opposing views were so vocal on so many different platforms that were so ginormous, and I think even when I came back and kind of spoke my piece, there were pieces missing.”
Alex Cooper’s Perspective and the Spotify Deal
In May 2022, Alex Cooper released a 34-minute YouTube video presenting her side of the story. She confirmed Portnoy’s offer of increased merchandise percentages, alcohol rights, and IP ownership. Cooper stated that she was enthusiastic about Portnoy’s proposal, calling it “the deal of a lifetime.”
Cooper explained that she wanted Franklyn to be happy and accept the Barstool deal but felt increasingly frustrated by the contract negotiations. She described feeling caught between Franklyn’s demands, her boyfriend Peter Nelson, and their team of representatives. Cooper ultimately decided to negotiate her own deal with Portnoy and stay with Barstool.
In June 2021, Alex Cooper took “Call Her Daddy” to Spotify in a staggering $60 million, three-year deal. This move solidified Cooper’s position as a major podcasting figure and further amplified the narrative of her success post-split, while Franklyn navigated the aftermath.
Sofia’s “Sofia with an F” and Moving Forward
Months after leaving Barstool, Sofia Franklyn launched her own podcast, “Sofia with an F.” She continued to explore similar themes of sex and relationships, interviewing celebrities and building her own independent platform. Franklyn used her podcast to process the “Call Her Daddy” experience and share her perspective.
Reflecting on the tumultuous period, Franklyn acknowledged the personal and professional growth it spurred. She recognized the valuable lessons learned about the entertainment industry and navigating contracts as a woman in a male-dominated space. “It’s all a part of my story,” Franklyn stated.
Despite the hardships, Franklyn expressed a lack of bitterness towards Cooper or Portnoy. She emphasized that she had no room for anger and wished them both well. While acknowledging the financial disparity between Cooper’s Spotify deal and her own path, Franklyn maintained that “money does not equal happiness” and prioritized her integrity and personal well-being. “The betrayal piece was more upsetting than the financial piece,” she admitted.
[ ](Sofia Franklyn poses for a portrait, showcasing her independent podcast career.)
Image alt text: Sofia Franklyn poses for a portrait, showcasing her independent podcast career and resilience after Call Her Daddy split.
Franklyn admitted the initial challenges of hosting a podcast solo, describing the first year and a half of “Sofia with an F” as a period of healing and learning. However, she found motivation in her loyal listeners and continued to evolve her show, focusing on authenticity and personal growth.
Barstool Culture and Dave Portnoy Allegations
Sofia Franklyn also touched upon the culture at Barstool Sports, describing it as a “very bro-ish, kind of fraternity vibe.” She noted feeling like an outsider in a predominantly male environment and witnessed behavior she considered inappropriate. While stating she didn’t personally experience inappropriate conduct, she acknowledged witnessing and hearing about instances that crossed boundaries.
When asked about the sexual misconduct allegations against Dave Portnoy, Franklyn stated, “It was alarming but I was not surprised, if that makes any sense at all.” She described her relationship with Portnoy as strictly professional and limited, but her comments hinted at a pre-existing awareness of potential issues within Barstool’s culture.
Conclusion: Moving On and Lessons Learned
The split between Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn and the end of the original “Call Her Daddy” podcast was a complex event with far-reaching consequences. It exposed the intricacies of podcast business deals, the pressures of public image, and the fragility of personal relationships under professional strain.
While the “Call Her Daddy” drama caused significant personal and professional upheaval for Sofia Franklyn, she has emerged as a resilient figure, forging her own path with “Sofia with an F.” Both Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn have achieved considerable success in their respective podcasting careers, albeit on separate paths. The question of what happened with Alex Cooper and Sofia is ultimately a story of ambition, betrayal, and the challenging landscape of the entertainment industry, with lasting lessons for all involved.
