What Happened to Call Her Daddy?

The "Call Her Daddy" podcast was launched in October 2018 by roommates Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn, quickly gaining popularity for its explicit and candid discussions on sex, dating, and relationships. Initially owned and distributed by Barstool Sports, the podcast rapidly grew its audience, reaching millions of downloads within months.

A significant turning point occurred in the late spring of 2020 when Cooper and Franklyn became embroiled in a highly publicized contract dispute with Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. The disagreement centered on ownership of the intellectual property and compensation. This public feud ultimately led to Sofia Franklyn's departure from the show in May 2020, leaving Alex Cooper to continue as the sole host.

Under Cooper's solo leadership, "Call Her Daddy" continued to thrive and evolve, shifting its focus to include more intimate celebrity interviews and discussions on broader topics like mental health and self-care. In June 2021, Cooper signed a landmark three-year exclusive deal with Spotify, reportedly worth over $60 million, making it the largest exclusive agreement for a woman-led podcast at the time. The podcast consistently ranked as one of Spotify's most popular shows, often second only to "The Joe Rogan Experience."

In August 2023, Cooper launched the Unwell Network, a media company aimed at Gen Z audiences, which began signing other creators. This expansion signaled Cooper's ambition to build a broader multimedia empire. A major development followed in August 2024, when Cooper signed a new three-year deal with SiriusXM, valued at $125 million, to replace Spotify as the podcast's primary distribution and advertising partner. This deal also encompassed content from the growing Unwell Network.

As of August 2026, "Call Her Daddy" remains a top-performing podcast, consistently ranking among the most listened-to shows, including a #4 spot in the US for Q2 2026. The Unwell Network, founded by Cooper and her husband Matt Kaplan, recently received an undisclosed investment from WTSL, a firm led by Hollywood talent agent Patrick Whitesell, which valued the company at $500 million. This valuation reflects Unwell's expansion into various media ventures beyond podcasting, including film and television production, live events, and consumer products. However, the Unwell Beverage Co., launched in partnership with Nestlé in 2025, is reportedly shutting down production after a short run, demonstrating the challenges in diversifying creator-led businesses. Despite some allegations of a hostile workplace within Unwell, which Cooper has pushed back against, the company continues to scale, aiming for further acquisitions and investments.