Sofia Franklyn was the original co-host of the hit podcast Call Her Daddy alongside Alex Cooper. The duo, known to fans as "The Fathers," launched the show in 2018 under Barstool Sports. Following a highly publicized contract dispute in 2020, the partnership ended, leaving Cooper as the sole host.
The Origins of the Call Her Daddy Duo
To understand the impact of Alex Cooper’s former co-host, one must look back at the cultural phenomenon they created together. Sofia Franklyn, a University of Utah graduate with a background in finance, met Alex Cooper during a trip to South x South West (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. At the time, Franklyn was working in the corporate world, while Cooper was building a presence as a lifestyle vlogger and content creator.
Their chemistry was immediate and palpable. They shared a specific brand of raw, unfiltered, and often controversial humor regarding dating, sex, and city life in New York. This rapport became the foundation for Call Her Daddy. After recording a few pilot episodes, the duo caught the attention of Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports. In 2018, Barstool signed them to a three-year deal, and the podcast exploded in popularity, quickly climbing to the top of the Apple Podcast charts.
During the first two years, Franklyn and Cooper were inseparable in the eyes of their audience, the "Daddy Gang." They leaned into a persona of "the girls next door who said the things no one else would." However, behind the scenes, the rapid growth of the show created tensions regarding compensation, creative control, and the long-term direction of the brand.
The "Trail of Dead": The Disintegration of a Partnership
The downfall of the original Call Her Daddy lineup is one of the most documented events in modern digital media. In early 2020, the podcast went silent, and the hosts stopped releasing new episodes. This period, dubbed the "Trail of Dead" by fans, was marked by intense speculation.
The conflict centered on a contract renegotiation with Barstool Sports. As the show’s value skyrocketed, Franklyn and Cooper sought better terms. However, their strategies diverged significantly:
- The Role of the "Roofman": Sofia Franklyn was at the time dating Peter Nelson, a high-ranking executive at HBO Sports (referred to by Portnoy as "Suitman"). Nelson reportedly advised Franklyn and Cooper to seek a deal outside of Barstool, suggesting they were significantly undervalued.
- The Barstool Offer: Dave Portnoy eventually offered the duo a deal that included a $500,000 base salary plus performance bonuses and, crucially, a path to regaining the intellectual property (IP) of Call Her Daddy in exchange for one more year of service.
- The Split: Alex Cooper was inclined to take the deal to secure the IP and the stability of the brand. Sofia Franklyn, reportedly following the advice of Nelson and seeking even higher compensation or a complete exit from Barstool, declined.
The impasse led to a permanent rift. Alex Cooper returned to Barstool to host the show alone, releasing the famous "Daddy Speaks" episode in May 2020, where she detailed her perspective on the failed negotiations. Sofia Franklyn was effectively ousted from the brand she helped build.
Sofia Franklyn’s Reemergence with "Sofia with an F"
After several months of public silence and intense scrutiny from the "Daddy Gang," Sofia Franklyn launched her own independent podcast, Sofia with an F, in October 2020. This move was a direct attempt to reclaim her narrative and her voice in the podcasting space.
In her debut episode, Franklyn addressed the controversy, stating that she felt portrayed as a "greedy villain" and that the reality of the negotiations was more complex than the public had been led to believe. She emphasized her desire for independence and ownership, which became a central theme of her new brand.
Sofia with an F retained a significant portion of the original audience who appreciated Franklyn’s specific brand of humor and storytelling. While it did not reach the astronomical heights of the solo Call Her Daddy under the Spotify and later SiriusXM umbrellas, it established Franklyn as a resilient entrepreneur. She focused on guest interviews, mental health discussions, and continuing the candid dialogue about her personal life that made her famous.
Alex Cooper’s Path to Media Mogul Status
While Sofia Franklyn pursued the independent route, Alex Cooper leaned into the corporate infrastructure of major media. In 2021, Cooper signed a historic three-year deal with Spotify valued at over $60 million, making her one of the highest-paid podcasters in the world.
By 2026, the landscape of her career has expanded even further. Following the conclusion of her Spotify exclusivity, Cooper transitioned to a massive multi-platform deal with SiriusXM, valued at an estimated $125 million. This deal included not only the flagship Call Her Daddy podcast but also her media company, The Unwell Network.
Through The Unwell Network, Cooper has moved into a producer role, signing top-tier creators like Alix Earle and Madeline Argy. This evolution from a co-host to a media executive marked a definitive shift in the power dynamics of the industry. Cooper’s ability to maintain the "Daddy Gang" community while scaling her business highlights the massive divergence in the paths taken by the two original co-hosts.
Comparing the Careers of the Original "Fathers"
The trajectories of Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn serve as a case study in creator strategy: one choosing the path of major corporate partnership and brand scaling, the other choosing independence and self-ownership.
| Feature | Alex Cooper (Call Her Daddy) | Sofia Franklyn (Sofia with an F) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Network | SiriusXM / Unwell Network | Independent / Sloppy Seconds LLC |
| Primary Monetization | Multi-million dollar licensing deals | Direct ad sales, merch, and premium content |
| Intellectual Property | Controls CHD IP (via Barstool/Sirius deals) | Owns 100% of "Sofia with an F" |
| Content Strategy | Celebrity interviews & high-production sets | Candid storytelling & guest-driven lifestyle |
| Role | Host, Executive Producer, CEO | Host, Founder, Independent Creator |
The Legacy of the Split on Podcasting
The fallout between Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn changed how podcasters approach their contracts. Before this dispute, many creators signed away their intellectual property for small upfront salaries. The public nature of the Barstool dispute highlighted the immense value of IP ownership.
Today, creators are much more likely to insist on owning their RSS feeds, their brand names, and their back catalogs. The "Call Her Daddy" split proved that while a duo can create a phenomenon, the business side of the industry requires a unified vision. When that vision fractures, the brand often follows the individual who is most willing to compromise with the platform owners or who possesses the most leverage in the public eye.
In 2026, the two women remain prominent figures in the digital space, though they operate in entirely different circles. There has been no public reconciliation, and both have stated in various interviews that they have moved on to focus on their respective empires. The "Daddy Gang" remains divided to some extent, with "OG" fans often reminiscing about the early chemistry of the 2018-2020 era, while newer fans recognize Cooper primarily as a solo titan of industry.
Technical Analysis of the Brand Evolution
The evolution of Call Her Daddy from a two-person banter show to a high-budget interview program required a significant technical and creative shift. Under the original duo, the show relied heavily on "vibe" and relatability. As a solo host, Cooper had to pivot toward a more structured format, which eventually allowed her to land "A-list" guests ranging from Jane Fonda to post-White House political figures.
Sofia Franklyn’s technical path involved building an independent studio and sales team from scratch. This required a deep dive into the backend of podcasting: hosting platforms, dynamic ad insertion, and managing a private LLC. While she does not have the massive marketing machine of SiriusXM behind her, her profit margins per listener are theoretically higher because she does not have to share revenue with a major parent network in the same way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Sofia Franklyn leave Call Her Daddy?
Sofia Franklyn did not voluntarily leave so much as she was excluded from the show’s continuation after she refused to sign a new contract with Barstool Sports. While Alex Cooper accepted Dave Portnoy’s offer—which included a $500k salary and the return of the show's IP—Franklyn, reportedly advised by her boyfriend at the time, sought a different deal that Barstool was unwilling to grant.
Are Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn still friends?
No, the two have not been friends or in communication since the split in 2020. Both have confirmed in various podcast episodes and interviews over the years that they have moved on and are focused on their separate career paths. The professional fallout led to a complete breakdown of their personal relationship.
Who owns the Call Her Daddy brand now?
Alex Cooper holds significant control over the Call Her Daddy brand. After fulfilling the terms of her amended Barstool Sports contract, which granted her the intellectual property rights, she was able to license the show to Spotify and later SiriusXM. While Barstool may retain certain back-end interests or historical rights, Cooper is the primary face and owner of the entity.
What is Sofia Franklyn doing in 2026?
As of 2026, Sofia Franklyn continues to host and produce her podcast Sofia with an F. She has focused on growing her independent media company, expanding into live shows and merchandise, and maintaining a loyal community of listeners who prefer her more independent, unfiltered style of content.
Did the "Suitman" actually cause the breakup?
Peter Nelson, nicknamed "Suitman," was a major factor in the negotiation breakdown. According to Dave Portnoy and Alex Cooper, Nelson’s interference and advice to shop the show to other networks while still under contract with Barstool created the legal and personal friction that eventually forced Cooper to choose between the brand and her co-host.
Final Recommendation for Listeners
For those looking to catch up on the history of this legendary podcast split, the best starting point remains the "Daddy Speaks" episode on the Call Her Daddy feed (May 2020) and the first episode of Sofia with an F (October 2020). Comparing these two accounts provides the most comprehensive view of the motivations and disagreements that changed the podcasting industry forever. Whether you prefer the high-octane, celebrity-filled world of Alex Cooper or the independent, gritty vibe of Sofia Franklyn, both creators offer a unique look at the power of digital branding in the 2020s.
