In a surprising turn of events, Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, has made explosive claims in his recently published book, *Cancel Me If You Can*. Among other revelations, he alleges that podcast host Alex Cooper once confided in him about a plan she and her co-host, Sofia Franklyn, had to claim they were victims of sexual harassment at Barstool Sports as a means to escape their contractual obligations. This assertion was reported by *The Wall Street Journal* shortly before the book’s release on 30 June.
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Cooper and Franklyn rose to prominence through their podcast, *Call Her Daddy*, which was created in 2018 and distributed by Barstool Sports until 2021. Their collaboration with the media company became a significant chapter in both their careers and Barstool’s evolution in the digital audio space. Portnoy’s book sheds light not only on their partnership but also on the complexities that characterised their contractual negotiations.
While specific details about Cooper’s and Franklyn’s contracts with Barstool have been previously discussed, Portnoy’s claims present a new layer of intrigue. He recounts a conversation with Cooper during which she and Franklyn purportedly expressed intentions to fabricate allegations of harassment to breach their contract. Representatives for both Cooper and Franklyn have not commented on these claims.
The podcast’s trajectory took a notable turn during the three-year agreement with Barstool. In her upcoming Hulu docuseries, *Call Her Alex*, set to air in 2025, Cooper discusses efforts to renegotiate their deal. She acknowledges that Portnoy made an enticing offer: if they extended their contract for another year, they would gain ownership of the intellectual property associated with *Call Her Daddy*.
In reflections shared during interviews, Cooper, now 31, has mentioned that although Franklyn was reluctant to accept the deal, she felt compelled to move forward in pursuit of broader opportunities. “I realised the ‘Daddy Gang’ was bigger than both of us,” she stated, highlighting her commitment to the podcast’s community. In a later interview with *The Hollywood Reporter*, she expressed her gratitude for trusting her instincts when it came to the intellectual property negotiations.
Franklyn, aged 33, departed from *Call Her Daddy* in 2020, citing issues with contract negotiations. She has been vocal about the split, explaining her side in a *Business Insider* essay published earlier in the year. While Cooper signed a deal with Spotify worth an estimated £60 million in 2021, Franklyn’s exit marked a significant shift in the podcast’s narrative.
Adding to the unfolding drama, Franklyn is slated to release a memoir titled *Daddy Issues* later this year, which promises to delve deeper into her rift with Cooper. In a YouTube video released in February, she explained her reasons for waiting to publish her story, indicating that she sought a more genuine and introspective approach. “I needed to self-reflect,” she shared, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in recounting her experiences.
As the landscape of digital media continues to evolve, the tale of Cooper and Franklyn serves as a microcosm of broader themes in the industry, including the struggle for ownership and control over creative content. Their journey reflects not only personal and professional conflicts but also highlights the shifting dynamics in partnerships forged amid the rapid rise of podcasting.
As both Cooper and Franklyn venture into separate projects, the public will undoubtedly remain eager to learn more about the details of their collaboration and its eventual disintegration. With Portnoy’s allegations bringing renewed attention to their past, the narrative of *Call Her Daddy* remains far from over, suggesting that tensions may linger as former colleagues navigate their futures in the industry.