Podcast host Alex Cooper addressed explosive allegations made by Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy in his memoir, "Cancel Me If You Can." Portnoy claims that Cooper and her former "Call Her Daddy" co-host, Sofia Franklyn, planned to fabricate sexual harassment claims to exit their contract with Barstool.
During a CNBC interview, Cooper acknowledged her "great and complicated relationship" with Portnoy, who gave her a start in the industry. While she stated she had not read the memoir, she recalled seeing online discussions about the allegations. "That's not how I remember that at all," Cooper said, adding, "Dave's got his version, and I've got my version, and we're all good."
When asked if she wanted to share her perspective, Cooper declined, stating, "I'm in my mother era. I'm no drama right now. We're here to talk business."
Portnoy's memoir alleges that Cooper and Franklyn presented a "game plan" to use fake sexual harassment claims to leave Barstool Sports. According to Portnoy, he met with the women after learning they were unhappy with their contract and offered a generous deal. He claims Cooper later requested a separate meeting without Franklyn and accepted a solo contract for "Call Her Daddy."
Portnoy wrote that if the alleged plot had proceeded, it would have been difficult for Barstool to defend itself in the court of public opinion, despite the company never having faced accusations of inappropriate workplace conduct. "Nobody would have believed my side of the story," he penned.
Sofia Franklyn departed "Call Her Daddy" in 2020 after contract negotiations reportedly failed. She has since launched her own podcast, "Sofia with an F," and plans to address the fallout with Cooper in her upcoming memoir, "Daddy Issues."
Alex Cooper left Barstool Sports in June 2021, signing a multi-year distribution deal with Spotify for "Call Her Daddy" valued at $60 million. In August 2024, she moved to SiriusXM in a deal reportedly worth $125 million.