Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn’s ‘Call Her Daddy’ Drama Explained: How Dave Portnoy Was Involved
The Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn “Call Her Daddy” drama will go down in history — so much so that Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy included it in his June 2026 memoir, Cancel Me If You Can.
“The revelation of Alex and Sofia’s torpedoed friendship was almost more than the public could handle,” Portnoy wrote in his book. “Two girls who the world loved to hate now hated each other.”
Portnoy’s version of the story offered more details that the public might not have been privy to before. For example, he first noticed Cooper on MLB pitcher Noah Syndergaard’s Instagram in 2017, when they were dating.
After hearing about her decision to launch a podcast, Portnoy reached out to Cooper, and the “Call Her Daddy” era began. The podcast launched at Barstool Sports in 2018 where it lived until 2021, when Cooper and the company mutually parted ways.
However, the end of the “Call Her Daddy” and Barstool era had tons of drama, which rocked the internet in 2020 as Cooper and Franklyn severed their friendship.
Keep scrolling for a complete breakdown:

The Contract Drama Begins
According to Portnoy, the contract drama began in 2019 after Cooper and Franklyn appeared on Logan Paul’s podcast. They started to “show their growing dissatisfaction” with being tied to Barstool, he claimed, and by the end of that year, lawyers were involved for contract negotiations.
By 2020, however, things got even rockier when the contract drama went public. In May of that year, Cooper told “Call Her Daddy” listeners that she and Frankyn had signed a three-year deal with Barstool, making $75,000 their first year, $85,000 the second year and $100,000 the third. They both got a raise during their first year because of how well the podcast was performing. Cooper, who handled the production side of the podcast, got an extra bump.
Behind the scenes, Franklyn’s then-boyfriend started shopping the show around to other networks. Portnoy got wind of this.
The Rooftop Meeting
This led to the infamous “rooftop meeting” in 2020 where Portnoy offered Cooper and Franklyn $500,000 along with “3.5 percent each of all merch they sold,” according to Portnoy’s book. “At the end of their term, they would own all their merch sales,” he explained. It also “cut six months off their contract so they would have to do the podcast with us for only one more year,” he wrote, noting that after the year ended, Barstool would “relinquish full ownership of the intellectual property.”
Cooper Accepts the Deal
Cooper had her own meeting with Portnoy and eventually accepted the deal.
“Alex left our meeting saying that she wanted to accept the deal. She also said that Sofia hated my guts, which came as a surprise,” he wrote. “The whole time I had believed that Alex was the one who didn’t like me, but I thought that I had a solid relationship with Sofia.”
Portnoy also admitted to leaking the story about the drama to The New York Post, leading to the end of Cooper and Franklyn’s friendship.
“It worked perfectly: Alex and Sofia completely severed all communication. They each believed the other had leaked the story,” Portnoy wrote. “The friendship, and the podcast as we knew it, would never exist again. They hated each other.”
Related: Barstool Employees Who’ve Detailed Salaries and Contract Negotiations
Getty Images (3) Barstool Sports is (almost) always making headlines for something — and they are arguably well-paid to do just that. Grace O’Malley announced her departure from the company in December 2024 after a friendship breakup from longtime bestie Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia (more about that, here) and has since spilled the tea on what […]Cooper’s Docuseries
In June 2025, Cooper reflected on her friendship with Franklyn in the Call Her Alex docuseries. She noted that their relationship had started to fracture long before the contract drama.
“It became really difficult to enjoy the process,” Cooper said at the time. “It was the classic you think you see something online, and people genuinely believed we were like sisters, but our relationship was so awful.”
Franklyn’s Book
Franklyn announced her Daddy Issues memoir in February 2026. The book is set to tell the story of “girlhood, friendship, sexuality, agency and healing.”
“My story has only been told for me. And if you asked me to write this book five years ago you would have gotten a different story — fearful, vengeful, insecure, wounded with something to prove,” Franklyn shared in a statement at the time. “I couldn’t live truthfully until I told it in my own words, on my own terms, and in the most radically honest way I know how.”
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Deal Alert! This 44%-Off Throw-On Mini Dress Is Too Good to Leave in Your Cart View DealWhere Cooper and Portnoy Stand Now
Cooper and Portnoy still have a close-knit business relationship. During a June 2026 interview with Us Weekly, Portnoy even shared the advice he gave Cooper while she was going through some public drama.
He also explained how their relationship evolved — and where he stands with Franklyn — in his memoir.
“Through it all, Alex Cooper has never forgotten the company that helped launch her. She credits me and Barstool frequently, and I’m genuinely happy for all the success she has found,” he wrote. “I’m even hoping she helps me promote this book. I guess we’ll see what she thinks of this chapter. I have no f***ing idea what Sofia is doing.”
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The best 4th of July sales worth shopping right now: Save up to 65% on Apple, Yeti and more
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The best 4th of July deals on Apple, Yeti, Casper and more
Right now, you can save up to 65% on mattresses, outdoor furniture, ACs and summer clothing.June 30, 2026, 4:47 PM EDT
Mili Godio
Updates Editor

The Fourth of July is almost here, and if you missed out on getting your favorite items on sale during Prime Day, this is a great time to buy them at a discount. Many of our favorite brands and retailers are offering deep discounts of up to 65 percent during the holiday weekend, and now is a great time to score deals on mattresses, patio furniture, ACs, outdoor gear and summer clothing.
I’ve covered sales as an editor at NBC Select for nearly six years, so I know what actually makes a deal worth buying. Below are some of the best July Fourth deals I’ve found so far, and I’ll update this list with new deals throughout the remainder of the week.
Selected.Our top picks
Best bedding dealBrooklinen Classic Percale Core Sheet Set$159.20$199.00BrooklinenLearn more
Best accessory dealAthleta All About Mini Crescent Bag$18.99$49.00AthletaLearn more
Best tech dealApple AirPods 4$99.00$129.00AmazonLearn more
Best travel dealLands’ End Medium 5 Pocket Open Top Canvas Tote Bag$29.96$39.95Lands' EndLearn more
Best beauty dealShark Beauty SpeedStyle Pro Flex Hair Dryer System$149.99$249.99AmazonLearn more
Best grill dealTraeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker$499.00$729.99AmazonLearn more
Best mattress dealCasper Snow Cooling Hybrid Mattress$1,900.00$2,720.00CasperLearn more
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Best July Fourth deals
Apple AirPods 4
$99.00$129.00AmazonNow 23% off$129.99Target$129.99Best BuyIf you hate the feeling of rubber eartips in your ears, the AirPods 4 are a great, lightweight option with a semi-open fit that’s relaxed and comfortable. They get up to five hours of battery life on a single charge and 25 more hours with the charging case. You can use them to ask Siri questions and they use voice isolation to make phone calls easy to hear. Since they don’t have noise cancellation, they’re also great if you prefer having some environmental awareness
Yeti Hopper M Series Backpack
$260.00$325.00AmazonNow 20% off$325.00Dick's Sporting Goods$325.00REIYeti is currently discounting a ton of products on Amazon, including this soft-sided backpack cooler. It can fit up to 36 cans or 22 pounds of ice, and its durable exterior resists water, leaks and punctures, according to the brand. It also weighs less than three pounds when empty, which makes it easy to haul back to your car after a day at the beach. I love taking this cooler on beach trips and tailgates because the straps are comfortable and it feels light, even when it’s filled to the brim with snacks and drinks.
Brooklinen Classic Percale Core Sheet Set
$159.20$199.00BrooklinenNow 20% off$189.00AmazonThese are some of our favorite bed sheets because they’re cooling and great for hot sleepers. They’re made from 100% long-staple cotton and come in sizes ranging from twin to California king. Since they’re made with a percale weave, they have a crisp and cooling feel to them, making them a great option for summer months. The set comes with a top sheet, a fitted sheet and two pillowcases.
Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
$499.00$729.99AmazonNow 32% off$499.99$729.99Home DepotNow 32% off$499.00$729.95Ace HardwareNow 32% offThis wheeled Traeger grill has a shiny bronze hood that covers over 800 square inches of cooking surface area and has an extra grill rack to keep cooked food warm. It also comes with a food thermometer to help you take the temperature of meat and poultry and make sure it’s safe to eat. Plus there’s a small screen above a dial that lets you adjust the temperature of the grill and see the temperature of the probed food.
IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow with SPF 40
$27.30$39.00UltaNow 30% off$39.00Sephora$39.00Kohl'sAs a beauty editor this is my go-to tinted SPF this summer; it’s lightweight and easy to blend, so I don’t have to worry about it looking cakey or sliding off throughout the day after sweating. It also has a great amount of coverage, which means I can skip foundation during the warmer months, and comes in 30 shades.
Casper Snow Cooling Hybrid Mattress
$1,900.00$2,720.00CasperNow 30% offIf you’re in the market for a cooling mattress this summer, this one from Casper is a great choice. It has the brand’s Snow Technology, which cools you down for over 12 hours as you sleep, according to the brand. It’s also made from soft memory foam and has a medium feel, so it’s snug in the middle between soft and firm.
Anyday 12-Piece Glass Round Dish Set
$180.00$225.00AnydayNow 20% offI’m a huge fan of Anyday’s cookware because they’re highly durable, freezer-, microwave- and oven-safe, and they double as food storage containers. NBC Select commerce editor Cory Fernandez also has the Anyday dishes and loves using them to make brownies and cakes in the microwave. This set of 12 comes with different sized glass containers and accompanying lids.
Waterpik Cordless Pulse 3100 Water Flosser
$32.99$49.99AmazonNow 34% offThis cordless water flosser has a rechargeable battery and an indicator that lets you know when to plug it in. Its removable, dishwasher-safe reservoir holds enough water for about 45 seconds of flossing, and the device comes with two flossing tips.
Lands’ End Medium 5 Pocket Open Top Canvas Tote Bag
$29.96$39.95Lands' EndNow 25% offThis medium-sized canvas tote is great to take on any outing, whether you’re taking a trip to the beach or simply running errands. “I have plenty of random canvas tote bags, but the Lands’ End Canvas Tote is by far my favorite. It comes in plenty of cute colors and the material is thick, durable and can definitely handle heavy groceries, shopping days or anything else you’re carrying around,” says NBC Select associate social media editor Caitlin Cusack.
Shark NV501 Rotator Professional Lift-Away Upright Vacuum
$199.99$329.99AmazonNow 39% off$199.99$318.06Home DepotNow 37% off$215.99$299.99WayfairNow 28% offThis upright vacuum has a detachable pod (so you can move it more easily around your space) and a detachable nozzle to clean upholstery, furniture, stairs and more. It has swivel steering to help maneuver in and out of small spaces and tight corners, plus it has LED headlights to show you exactly how much debris and pet hair it picks up. The vacuum comes with an upholstery tool, a dusting brush and a crevice tool.
Shark Beauty SpeedStyle Pro Flex Hair Dryer System
$149.99$249.99AmazonNow 40% off$149.99$249.99UltaNow 40% off$149.00$249.00SephoraNow 40% offTake your hair from wet to dry to styled with this hot tool, which regulates its temperature to prevent heat damage, according to the brand. It also has a scalp shield mode that lowers the air temperature when you’re drying your roots. The SpeedStyle is lightweight and it has a folding handle, making it compact and travel-friendly. It comes with multiple attachments, including a concentrator, diffuser and frizz-fighting tool. Plus, when you add an attachment, the tool automatically adjusts its heat and airflow level accordingly (you can manually change settings, too).
Blink Outdoor 4
$104.99$299.99AmazonNow 65% off$104.99$299.99Best BuyNow 65% off$104.99$299.99Home DepotNow 65% offThis pack of five mini outdoor cameras livestream footage to an app, so you can monitor the outside of your home and even hear and speak to visitors. The app also sends you motion and person detection alerts. Each camera comes with two batteries that power the device for up to two years, according to the brand.
Athleta All About Mini Crescent Bag

$18.99$49.00AthletaNow 61% offIf you’re planning a trip this summer and need a travel-friendly way to hold your essentials, consider this mini Athleta crossbody bag. It can fit your phone, wallet, keys and other small essentials, and it has adjustable straps to get the perfect fit. The larger size, which you can convert into a handbag, is also 40% off.
Medicube Zero Pore Pads 2.0

$18.90$31.00AmazonNow 39% off$20.99Target$21.00NordstromKey ingredients: lactic acid, salicylic acid | Quantity: 70 padsThese viral Medicube toner pads are a favorite among our NBC Select editors. They’re dual-sided: one side is textured to exfoliate, while the other, softer side soothes and hydrates your skin. While they were at a slightly lower price during Prime Day last week, we still think this is a good deal.
Touchland Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer
$8.00$10.00UltaNow 20% off$10.00Sephora$10.00TouchlandOur NBC Select editors love Touchland’s hand sanitizer sprays because they’re easy to use, portable and smell great. Plus, they don’t dry out your hands or leave a chemical-like smell like most hand sanitizers do.
Best July Fourth sales
Below, I rounded up the best July Fourth sales to shop right now across retailers and brands. I’ll continue updating this throughout the holiday.
- Target: Up to 40% off swimwear, tech, sunscreens, shoes and more through July 4
- Best Buy: Up to 45% off tech, home appliances and more through July 5
- The Home Depot: Save on grills, lawn care, outdoor furniture and more during its Red, White & Blue Savings Event through July 8
- Ulta: Up to 40% off during the Big Summer Beauty Sale through July 11
- REI: Up to 50% off outdoor gear and apparel
- Wayfair: Up to 70% off sitewide
- Lowe’s: Up to 45% off select major appliances
- Macy’s: Up to 60% off summer items through July 5
- Lands’ End: Up to 70% off sitewide using code POOLPARTY
- Crate & Barrel: Up to 60% off furniture, cookware and more
- Pottery Barn: Extra 20% off sale items
Best July Fourth furniture sales
- Lovesac: Up to 40% off sitewide through July 5
- Joybird: Up to 50% off ready-to-ship items and up to 35% off sitewide through July 7
- Koala: Up to 30% off sitewide
- Sundays: Up to 25% off select items during its Long Weekend Sale through July 5
- AllModern: Up to 60% off outdoor furniture, decor and more
- Article: Up to 40% off select furniture items
- Castlery: Up to 40% off select items through July 5
Best July Fourth apparel sales
- Lulu’s: Up to 30% off sale items and swimwear using code TIME2SAVE
- Athleta: Up to 60% off during its Semi-Annual Sale
- Gap: Up to 50% off shorts, tees, swim and more during its Summer Sale
- Gola: Up to 50% off select styles through July 5
- Lululemon: Up to 30% off during its Summer Sale
- Merrell: Up to 40% off select styles during its Summer Sale
- Comrad: Up to 65% off sitewide using code JULY25
- Poppy & Peonies: Up to 70% off through July 5
- Reima: Up to 50% off sitewide through July 6
Best July Fourth mattress and bedding sales
- Brooklinen: Up to 25% off bedding, towels and more
- Casper: Up to 35% off sitewide
- Naturepedic: Up to 20% off mattresses and bedding
- Purple: Save up to $800 on mattresses and bases through July 7
- Boll & Branch: Up to 40% off select styles and up to 20% off sitewide
- Amerisleep: Up to 40% off bed frames, mattress toppers and more
- Serta: Save up to $900 on mattresses and adjustable base sets through July 7
- Beautyrest: Save up to $1000 on select mattress + adjustable base sets through July 7
- Tuft & Needle: Up to 25% off bundles through July 7
- Garnet Hill: Up to 70% off sitewide
Best July Fourth beauty sales
- Dolce Glow: Up to 20% off sitewide through July 4
- Athena Club: Up to 20% off sets through July 7
- iRestore: Up to 50% off select red light therapy devices and bundles through July 6
- Dermstore: Up to 40% off sale items using code EXTRA10 through July 9
Best July Fourth home and kitchen sales
- Caraway: Up to 40% off cookware bundles
- Papier: Up to 30% off sitewide through July12
- Current: Up to 30% off grills and grilling accessories
- Yellow Leaf Hammocks: Up to 25% off sitewide
- Solo Stove: Up to 20% off select cooking gear
Best July Fourth travel sales
- July: Up to 30% off select travel bags
- Samsonite: Up to 40% off select luggage and sets
- Delsey Paris: Up to 20% off curated travel bundles, luggage sets and accessories through July 5
Best July Fourth baby and family sales
- Newton Baby: Up to 25% off
- Lalo: Up to 35% off select items through July 6
- Baby Brezza: Up to 30% off through July 6
- Love to Dream: Up to 30% off select items through July 12
Why are these July Fourth deals worth it?
The Fourth of July historically offers some of the lowest prices of the year on big ticket items like mattresses, outdoor furniture, grills and major appliances. All of my recommendations above are based on NBC Select’s previous coverage and reporting. I also included products the NBC Select staff has tested. I evaluated the quality of these deals by running them through price trackers like CamelCamelCamel, and I only included ones that:
- Are 20% off or more
- Are at their lowest price in at least three months (with the exception of last week’s Prime Day deals)
- Are highly rated with at least a 4-star average rating from hundreds of customers on Amazon
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m an editor at NBC Select who has regularly covered major sale events, including July Fourth, Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day, since 2021. For this article, I spent weeks searching for the best Fourth of July deals based on our past reporting and editor-tested products.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
Deal of the Day
Bril Portable Toothbrush Case
$24.99$34.99BrilNow 29% off
Mili GodioMili Godio is an editor for NBC Select. Her expertise lies in wellness, skin care, pets, home and kitchen, and travel.
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Bril Portable Toothbrush Case
$24.99$34.99BrilNow 29% off