There are probably few shows that have sparked as much controversy as ‘Call Her Daddy.’ What started as a dynamic partnership between Sofia Franklyn and Alex Cooper spiraled into a public dispute filled with drama. Here are five facts that outline the dramatic feud between the two.
5. It All Began With Cryptic Messages
The first signs of trouble surfaced in early 2020 when ‘Call Her Daddy’ episodes started to feature cryptic titles, hinting at the hosts feeling like prisoners. The situation escalated after an episode aired on April 8, 2020. This episode ended with a snippet of Kesha’s ‘Praying,’ followed by an unexplained hiatus. The hosts then encouraged fans to use the hashtag #FreeTheFathers on social media, making the fans more curious about what was going on.
4. The Name Behind The Drama is Peter ‘Suitman’ Nelson
Central to the conflict is Peter Nelson, Franklyn’s then-boyfriend and HBO Sports executive, nicknamed ‘Suitman’ on the podcast. He was accused by Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy of shopping the ‘Call Her Daddy’ podcast to other distributors while Franklyn and Cooper were still under contract. This action is believed to have played a significant role in the unfolding drama between the co-hosts and Barstool Sports.
3. Portnoy Stirred The Pot With ‘Daddy Speaks’
Nelson’s influence became more evident when Portnoy released an episode titled ‘Daddy Speaks’ on May 17, 2020. In the episode, Portnoy revealed details of contract negotiations, including a generous offer to Cooper and Franklyn. The deal included a $500,000 annual salary, bonuses, and a reduced contract duration. While Cooper was inclined to accept, Franklyn, under Nelson’s advice, hesitated.
2. Cooper’s YouTube Video Revealed More Drama
The conflict reached another point when Cooper uploaded a video on YouTube detailing the disagreements in earnings and responsibilities between her and Franklyn. Cooper stated that she earned more due to her additional role in editing the podcasts. She then went on to say that Franklyn’s persistent demand for a higher salary led to a stalemate. Eventually, Cooper decided to accept Barstool’s offer, leading to her solo hosting of ‘Call Her Daddy,’ and later signing an exclusive deal with Spotify worth $60 million.
1. Franklyn Described Her Friendship With Cooper As A Business Ploy
Sofia Franklyn later opened up about the deterioration of her friendship with Cooper, attributing it to the contract negotiations and subsequent fallout. Franklyn accused Cooper of negotiating independently with Portnoy and desiring more control over the podcast. She also argued that her relationship with Cooper was primarily a business arrangement, rather than a genuine friendship. Following her departure from ‘Call Her Daddy,’ Franklyn launched her own podcast, ‘Sofia With an F,‘ and publicly expressed her disappointment in Cooper’s actions.
