As of 2026, Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn are not friends and remain professionally and personally estranged. Despite recurring rumors of a reconciliation and fan-driven speculation on social media, there has been no verified public reunion or private mending of their relationship since their highly publicized fallout in 2020.
The narrative surrounding Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn is one of the most significant case studies in modern digital media, illustrating the intersection of friendship, business, and intellectual property. Once the inseparable duo behind the meteoric rise of the Call Her Daddy podcast, the two have spent the last several years carving out distinct, separate identities in the audio industry. To understand why they are not friends today, it is necessary to examine the structural breakdown of their partnership and the divergent paths they have taken since "The Trail" ended their collaboration.
The Origins of the Partnership: Building the Daddy Gang
The friendship between Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn began in the late 2010s, characterized by a shared residence in New York City and a mutual ambition to disrupt the male-dominated podcasting landscape. Their chemistry was the engine of Call Her Daddy, a show that blended raw, unfiltered discussions about sex and relationships with a comedic "locker room" energy that resonated with millions of listeners.
In 2018, their success led to a three-year contract with Barstool Sports. Under the leadership of Dave Portnoy, the podcast became a flagship property for the media company. During this era, Cooper and Franklyn were perceived as a unified front, presenting a brand built on loyalty and "The Daddy Gang" sisterhood. However, the internal dynamics were complicated by the rapid scaling of their brand and the realization that their initial compensation did not reflect the massive revenue the show was generating for Barstool.
The 2020 Contract Dispute: "The Trail" and the Ultimate Rift
The definitive end of the Cooper-Franklyn friendship occurred during what fans refer to as "The Trail." In the spring of 2020, the podcast went dark as the co-hosts entered a period of intense and ultimately catastrophic negotiations with Barstool Sports.
The technical breakdown of this dispute involved three primary entities: Alex Cooper, Sofia Franklyn, and Peter Nelson (then an HBO executive and Franklyn’s boyfriend, colloquially known on the show as "Suitman"). According to public records and subsequent testimony from those involved, the conflict centered on several key points:
- Intellectual Property (IP) Ownership: The duo wanted the rights to the Call Her Daddy name and brand.
- Salary and Bonuses: They sought a significant increase in base pay and a higher percentage of merchandise and advertising revenue.
- The Exit Strategy: Franklyn, reportedly influenced by Nelson, favored leaving Barstool to sign a more lucrative deal elsewhere. Cooper, after initial agreement, eventually decided to negotiate a path that would allow her to keep the Call Her Daddy IP while staying at Barstool for a transitional period.
The rift became permanent when Cooper accepted a "bridge deal" from Dave Portnoy that gave her the IP rights in exchange for completing her contract solo. Franklyn, feeling betrayed by Cooper’s side-deal, refused to sign, leading to her exit from the show and the total dissolution of their friendship.
Post-Breakup Dynamics: Alex Cooper’s Solo Ascension
Since the split, Alex Cooper’s career trajectory has been historic. In 2021, she signed a then-unprecedented $60 million exclusive deal with Spotify, which was followed in 2024 by an even larger distribution and advertising deal with SiriusXM valued at approximately $125 million.
Cooper’s version of Call Her Daddy transitioned from a shock-jock style show into a high-profile interview platform, hosting celebrities ranging from Jane Fonda to Post Malone. Throughout this period, Cooper has largely avoided mentioning Franklyn by name, adopting a strategy of "brand erasure" to separate the current iteration of the show from its controversial origins. In her rare comments on the matter, Cooper has characterized the split as a necessary business decision for her survival and professional growth, rather than a malicious act of betrayal.
Sofia Franklyn’s Independent Path: Sofia with an F
Sofia Franklyn’s return to the media space came in late 2020 with the launch of her own podcast, Sofia with an F. Operating under her own company, Sloppy Seconds Media, Franklyn has prioritized independence and creative control.
Her initial episodes directly addressed the "Call Her Daddy" fallout, where she accused Cooper of being a "backstabber" and claimed she was marginalized during the negotiation process. Over the subsequent years, Franklyn has cultivated a loyal following by maintaining the candid, independent spirit that fans originally loved about the duo. While she has expressed personal hurt regarding the loss of the friendship, her 2026 status remains firmly independent, with no formal professional ties to Cooper’s media empire.
Why Fans Believe They Are Still Friends: Debunking the Myths
The persistent search for evidence that "Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn are still friends" is often driven by nostalgia and social media misinterpretations. Several factors contribute to this ongoing confusion:
- Archived Content on TikTok: Viral clips from the 2018-2020 era frequently resurface on TikTok and Instagram Reels. Newer listeners often mistake these archived videos for current content, leading to the false belief that the two are still filming together.
- Mutual Social Circles: Because both women operate in the New York and Los Angeles media circles, they occasionally share mutual acquaintances. Fans often perform "social media forensics," looking for likes or follows that might signal a reconciliation.
- Ambiguous Interview Quotes: When asked about each other in interviews, both women have occasionally used softer language in recent years—referring to the era as a "learning experience" or wishing the other well. These professional platitudes are often misinterpreted as signs of a secret friendship.
- Fake News and Clickbait: Many gossip blogs and YouTube commentary channels use misleading titles suggesting a reunion to drive traffic, despite the lack of any supporting evidence.
Comparing the Two Paths (2020–2026)
The following table outlines the diverging professional structures and milestones for both Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn following their 2020 separation.
| Feature | Alex Cooper (Call Her Daddy) | Sofia Franklyn (Sofia with an F) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Media Partner | SiriusXM (via Unwell Network) | Sloppy Seconds Media (Independent) |
| IP Ownership | Fully owned by Alex Cooper | Fully owned by Sofia Franklyn |
| Content Style | Celebrity Interviews / Wellness | Lifestyle / Comedy / Independent Commentary |
| Major Deal Value | $125M+ (SiriusXM 2024-2026) | Private / Ad-Revenue Based |
| Current Brand Hub | Unwell Network | Sloppy Seconds Media |
| Public Relationship Status | Non-existent / Estranged | Non-existent / Estranged |
Legal and Professional Barriers to Reconciliation
Even if there were a personal desire to reconcile, several professional barriers make a public reunion difficult. Alex Cooper has built a corporate-friendly brand that is now integrated into the SiriusXM and previously Spotify ecosystems. Sofia Franklyn’s brand remains more subversive and independent.
Furthermore, the legal settlement that concluded their time at Barstool likely included non-disparagement or confidentiality clauses that limit what either can say about the specific details of the 2020 split. A public reunion would require significant legal vetting and a strategic alignment of two very different business models, which is unlikely given their current trajectories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Alex Cooper ever apologize to Sofia Franklyn?
There is no public record of a formal apology from Alex Cooper to Sofia Franklyn. Cooper has maintained that her actions were a response to a failing business negotiation and has framed the situation as a disagreement over professional strategy rather than a personal slight.
Are they still following each other on Instagram?
No. As of 2026, Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn do not follow each other on Instagram or other major social media platforms. They have also scrubbed much of the joint content from their primary feeds that appeared during the peak of the "Trail" drama.
Does Sofia Franklyn still talk about the breakup?
While the breakup was a central theme of Sofia with an F during its first year (2020-2021), Franklyn has moved on to other topics. She occasionally references the lessons learned from that period, but it is no longer a primary focus of her content.
Is there a chance for a "Call Her Daddy" reunion show?
While fans frequently call for a "reunion episode," there are currently no plans, rumors, or professional indications that this will happen. Both women have stated in various capacities that they are focused on their respective futures rather than revisiting the past.
Who owns the original "Call Her Daddy" episodes?
Alex Cooper owns the intellectual property and the back catalog of Call Her Daddy. Following her deal with Barstool Sports in 2020 and her subsequent move to Spotify and SiriusXM, she retained control over the legacy content produced during the duo era.
Summary of the Current Situation
The relationship between Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn remains a definitive example of how high-stakes business can permanently alter personal bonds. In 2026, they are two successful women who share a significant history but no longer share a life. Alex Cooper has become a titan of the audio industry, while Sofia Franklyn has established herself as a resilient independent voice. For fans, the era of the "original Daddy Gang" is a closed chapter in digital history.
Next Action: To stay informed on their current projects, listeners should follow the "Unwell Network" for Alex Cooper’s latest ventures and "Sloppy Seconds Media" for Sofia Franklyn’s independent content.
