Dave Portnoy revisits the Call Her Daddy breakup, claiming money and fame drove Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn apart, ending one of podcasting’s biggest partnerships.
The Podcast That Changed Everything
July 06, 2026: When Call Her Daddy launched under Barstool Sports in 2018, it quickly became one of the fastest-growing podcasts in the industry. Co-hosts Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn built a loyal audience through candid conversations about relationships, dating, and modern life, transforming the show into a cultural phenomenon in just a few years.
Their chemistry helped the podcast attract millions of listeners, but behind the scenes, tensions were reportedly growing over contracts, ownership, and the future of the show. What began as a successful partnership eventually turned into one of the biggest public fallouts in podcasting history.
Now, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy is revisiting that chapter in his new memoir, offering fresh claims about what led to the breakup.
Image Credit: Call Her Daddy/Facebook
Dave Portnoy Shares His Version
According to Portnoy, both Cooper and Franklyn became increasingly focused on securing greater financial rewards and ownership of the podcast as its popularity soared. In excerpts from his memoir, he alleges the pair were willing to “stop at nothing” in pursuit of money and fame as negotiations with Barstool became more contentious.
Portnoy also repeats a previous allegation that the hosts discussed falsely accusing the company of sexual harassment as a way to escape their contracts. Neither Cooper nor Franklyn has publicly responded to these renewed claims, and the allegations remain unverified.
His latest comments have reignited debate surrounding one of the entertainment industry’s most public business disputes.
Contract Negotiations Sparked the Rift
The conflict largely centered on ownership and compensation. As Call Her Daddy became one of Barstool’s biggest properties, Cooper and Franklyn sought improved financial terms and greater control over the brand.
Portnoy has said Barstool eventually offered both hosts substantially improved contracts, including higher salaries and a path toward owning the podcast’s intellectual property after one additional year. According to his account, Cooper accepted the proposal, while Franklyn declined, resulting in the partnership coming to an end.
That decision ultimately changed the future of both the podcast and the careers of its two creators.
Image Credit: Annie Wermiel/NY Post
Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn Took Different Paths
Following the split in 2020, Alex Cooper continued hosting Call Her Daddy on her own. The podcast evolved from its original relationship-focused format into a celebrity interview show, leading to major distribution agreements with Spotify and later SiriusXM. Cooper also expanded her business through her Unwell media brand.
Sofia Franklyn, meanwhile, launched her own podcast, Sofia with an F, and has continued building her independent career. She is also preparing to release a memoir titled Daddy Issues, which promises to share her perspective on the highly publicized fallout.
Although both women found success after the split, their careers followed very different trajectories.
A Story That Still Sparks Conversation
More than six years after the original dispute, the Call Her Daddy breakup continues to attract attention. Portnoy’s memoir has revived public interest by introducing new allegations and reflecting on his own role in the conflict.
While his account offers one perspective, many aspects of the dispute remain contested, and the full story continues to be shaped by differing accounts from those involved. As Franklyn prepares to publish her memoir later this year, audiences may soon hear another side of one of podcasting’s most talked-about breakups.
image Credit: Sofia Franklyn / Instagram
How the Split Changed Podcasting
The breakup of Call Her Daddy became one of the most closely followed business disputes in the podcast industry. Beyond the personal fallout, it sparked wider conversations about creator ownership, contract negotiations, and the value of intellectual property in digital media.
Many industry observers pointed to the dispute as an example of how rapidly growing content creators can find themselves renegotiating deals as their audiences expand. It also highlighted the increasing importance of ownership rights as podcasts evolved into multimillion-dollar entertainment brands.
The situation remains one of the most significant turning points in the modern podcasting landscape.
Different Perspectives Continue to Emerge
Although Dave Portnoy’s memoir offers new details from his perspective, the events surrounding the Call Her Daddy split have long been viewed differently by those involved. Over the years, Alex Cooper, Sofia Franklyn, and Portnoy have each publicly discussed the dispute, often presenting different interpretations of what happened behind the scenes.
As a result, many aspects of the fallout remain a matter of differing personal accounts rather than independently verified fact. Readers should view the latest claims as Portnoy’s version of events unless confirmed by additional evidence or statements from the other parties involved.
Franklyn’s upcoming memoir is also expected to revisit the breakup, potentially adding further context to the story.
Image Credit: nstagram/@alexandracooper
Both Hosts Found Success After the Breakup
Despite the highly publicized split, both Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn continued building successful careers independently.
Cooper transformed Call Her Daddy into one of the world’s biggest interview podcasts, securing major media partnerships and expanding her business ventures beyond podcasting. Franklyn, meanwhile, established her own platform through Sofia with an F, allowing her to connect directly with her audience while pursuing independent projects.
Their separate careers demonstrate how both creators were able to move forward, even though their professional partnership came to an abrupt end.
Final Thoughts
Years after the dramatic breakup of Call Her Daddy, the story continues to capture public interest. Dave Portnoy’s latest comments have reopened discussions about one of podcasting’s biggest controversies, offering his perspective on the business decisions and personal tensions that led to the split.
While his memoir introduces new allegations and reflections, the full story remains shaped by multiple viewpoints. As additional accounts emerge, including Sofia Franklyn’s upcoming memoir, the conversation surrounding Call Her Daddy is likely to continue evolving.
FAQs
Why did Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn split?
The partnership ended in 2020 following disagreements over contracts, ownership, and the future direction of Call Her Daddy.
What did Dave Portnoy claim in his memoir?
Portnoy alleged that money, fame, and contract disputes contributed to the breakup. He also repeated previous allegations regarding discussions during contract negotiations. Those allegations have not been independently verified.
Did Alex Cooper continue Call Her Daddy?
Yes. Alex Cooper continued hosting the podcast on her own after the split and later signed major distribution agreements.
What is Sofia Franklyn doing now?
Sofia Franklyn hosts her own podcast, Sofia with an F, and is preparing to release a memoir sharing her perspective on the breakup.
Has either Alex Cooper or Sofia Franklyn responded to Portnoy’s latest claims?
As of July 06, 2026, neither has publicly responded to the latest claims discussed in Portnoy’s memoir.
Published by HOLR Magazine