Alex Cooper is the creator and host of the globally dominant podcast "Call Her Daddy" and the founder of the media company The Unwell Network. Widely recognized by her moniker "Father Cooper," she has evolved from a provocative Barstool Sports personality into one of the most powerful and highest-paid figures in the modern media landscape.
As of 2026, Alex Cooper remains a cornerstone of the creator economy, having successfully navigated high-stakes contract negotiations, massive platform migrations, and the transition from a single-show host to a multifaceted business executive. Her journey provides a blueprint for how digital creators can leverage personal branding to achieve institutional influence and financial independence. To understand who Alex Cooper is today, one must look at her athletic roots, her meteoric rise through the podcasting ranks, and her strategic pivot into a broad-reaching media entrepreneur.
Early Life and the Foundation of a Competitor
Alexandra Cooper was born on August 21, 1994, in Newtown, Pennsylvania. Long before she was a household name in digital media, Cooper was defined by her athletic prowess. She attended Boston University, where she was a scholarship athlete on the women’s soccer team. This background is often cited by Cooper as the source of her competitive drive and disciplined work ethic.
During her time at Boston University, she studied communications, a field that would eventually serve as the bedrock of her professional life. After graduation, she moved to New York City, working in various media-related roles and social media marketing. It was during this period that the concept for "Call Her Daddy" began to take shape. Cooper’s ability to combine a polished, telegenic presence with a raw, unfiltered approach to storytelling became her signature style early on.
The Barstool Sports Era and the Birth of the "Daddy Gang"
In 2018, Alex Cooper and her then-best friend and co-host, Sofia Franklyn, launched "Call Her Daddy." The show was quickly acquired by Barstool Sports, a digital media company known for its loyal following and controversial reputation. Under the Barstool umbrella, the podcast exploded in popularity, specifically targeting a demographic that felt underserved by traditional media: young women who wanted to hear candid, often explicit, discussions about sex, dating, and NYC life.
The show's listeners became known as the "Daddy Gang," a fiercely loyal community that catapulted the podcast to the top of the charts. Cooper’s role in the show’s success was significant; she handled much of the editing and social media promotion, developing a distinct visual and auditory aesthetic that felt both aspirational and relatable. However, the rapid success of the show eventually led to internal tensions that would change the trajectory of Cooper’s career forever.
The 2020 "Divorce" and the Battle for Intellectual Property
One of the most defining moments in Alex Cooper’s career was the public "divorce" between her, Sofia Franklyn, and Barstool Sports in 2020. The dispute centered on contract negotiations and the ownership of the podcast's intellectual property (IP). While Franklyn eventually left the show and the network, Cooper struck a deal with Barstool founder David Portnoy.
In a move that was highly analyzed by industry experts, Cooper negotiated for the full ownership of the "Call Her Daddy" IP in exchange for staying with Barstool for an additional period. This was a pivotal moment for creator rights. By securing her IP, Cooper ensured that she—not the network—held the ultimate power over her brand. This allowed her to continue the show as a solo host, rebranding it from a comedy/advice show into a more versatile interview-style program.
The Spotify Era: A Record-Breaking Deal
In 2021, Cooper made headlines again by signing an exclusive three-year licensing deal with Spotify, reportedly worth over $60 million. At the time, this was one of the largest deals in podcasting history, placing Cooper in the same financial league as Joe Rogan.
During her tenure at Spotify, Cooper transformed "Call Her Daddy." She moved away from the more shock-value-driven content of the early Barstool days and began hosting high-profile celebrity interviews. Her guest list grew to include names like Miley Cyrus, Jane Fonda, Post Malone, and even political figures like Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 election cycle. This shift demonstrated her range as an interviewer and her ability to maintain a massive audience while evolving the show's tone to match her own personal growth.
The SiriusXM Transition and Distribution Strategy in 2026
By late 2024, the podcasting landscape had shifted away from total exclusivity. In a strategic move that defined her operations through 2025 and 2026, Cooper signed a new multi-year deal with SiriusXM, reportedly valued at up to $125 million. This deal marked a significant departure from the Spotify model.
Unlike the previous exclusive arrangement, the SiriusXM deal focused on advertising representation and distribution. It allowed "Call Her Daddy" and other content from Cooper’s network to remain available on all platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, while giving SiriusXM exclusive rights to ad sales and certain supplementary content. This "wide distribution" model has proven highly effective in 2026, maximizing both reach and revenue by ensuring the show is accessible to the broadest possible audience.
The Unwell Network: Building a Gen Z Media Empire
Alex Cooper is no longer just a podcast host; she is a media executive. In 2023, she launched The Unwell Network, a subsidiary of her production company, Trending. The goal of Unwell is to identify and elevate the next generation of digital creators.
The network’s initial signings included major Gen Z influencers such as Alix Earle and Madeline Argy. By providing these creators with the production resources, business infrastructure, and mentorship necessary to scale their brands, Cooper has positioned herself as a "mogul-maker." In 2026, The Unwell Network is recognized as a leader in creator-led media, bridging the gap between social media fame and sustainable, long-form content businesses.
The Unwell Network Portfolio (2026 Snapshot)
| Creator | Main Content Focus | Impact Area |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Cooper | Interviews, Culture, Mental Health | Flagship "Call Her Daddy" Brand |
| Alix Earle | Lifestyle, "Get Ready With Me" (GRWM) | Dominance in Beauty & Fashion |
| Madeline Argy | Commentary, Humor, Storytelling | British Market & Relatability |
| Recent Signings | Emerging Tech, Health & Wellness | Expansion into Niche Verticals |
Personal Life and the "Father Cooper" Persona
Despite her immense wealth and business responsibilities, Cooper has maintained a strong connection with her audience by sharing glimpses into her personal life. In 2024, she married Hollywood producer Matt Kaplan, the CEO of ACE Entertainment. The couple’s relationship has often been a topic of discussion on the podcast, albeit in a more mature and guarded way than her dating life in the early "Daddy" years.
Cooper’s public persona is a blend of high-fashion glamor and "sweatpants-on-the-couch" authenticity. She frequently discusses her struggles with anxiety and the pressures of fame, which has endeared her to a generation that prizes mental health transparency. This vulnerability is a calculated but genuine part of her brand, making her feel like a "big sister" to her millions of followers.
Why Alex Cooper Matters in the Modern Media Landscape
Alex Cooper’s significance lies in her mastery of the "direct-to-consumer" relationship. Unlike traditional celebrities who rely on studios or networks to reach an audience, Cooper owns her distribution and her IP. She has proven that:
- IP Ownership is King: By fighting for the rights to her show name and catalog, she secured her long-term financial future.
- Evolution is Necessary: She successfully pivoted from a "party-girl" podcast to a serious interview platform without losing her core audience.
- The Multi-Platform Approach: She uses Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to drive traffic back to her long-form podcast content, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem.
- Mentorship as Business: Through The Unwell Network, she is diversifying her income streams so that her financial success is no longer tied solely to her own voice and schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Alex Cooper get famous?
Alex Cooper rose to fame as the co-host of the podcast "Call Her Daddy" on Barstool Sports in 2018. The show went viral for its candid and often explicit conversations about dating and NYC culture, quickly becoming one of the most-downloaded podcasts in the world.
What is the "Daddy Gang"?
The "Daddy Gang" is the name given to the dedicated fanbase of the "Call Her Daddy" podcast. The community is known for its loyalty and has been a driving force behind Cooper's ability to negotiate record-breaking deals with platforms like Spotify and SiriusXM.
Is Alex Cooper still with Barstool Sports?
No, Alex Cooper left Barstool Sports in 2021 following the conclusion of her contract. However, as part of her 2020 negotiations, she retained the intellectual property rights to "Call Her Daddy," which allowed her to take the show to Spotify and later SiriusXM.
What is The Unwell Network?
The Unwell Network is a media company founded by Alex Cooper in 2023. It serves as a platform to host and produce podcasts for other creators, such as Alix Earle. It is designed to empower the next generation of digital stars with the tools and business strategy Cooper used to build her own career.
Who is Alex Cooper's husband?
Alex Cooper is married to Matt Kaplan, a successful film and television producer and the CEO of ACE Entertainment. The two married in early 2024 in a private ceremony that was later featured in prominent fashion publications like Vogue.
Next Steps for Fans and Aspiring Creators
For those looking to follow Alex Cooper’s trajectory or learn from her business model, the next step is to observe her work through The Unwell Network. While "Call Her Daddy" remains her flagship, her role as a producer and executive is where her greatest future growth lies.
Aspiring creators should study her 2020 contract dispute with Barstool Sports as a masterclass in understanding the value of intellectual property. To stay updated on her latest interviews and business ventures, followers can find "Call Her Daddy" on all major podcasting platforms and follow the Unwell Network's official social media channels for updates on new talent and shows.
