After Signing A $125-Million SiriusXM Deal, Alex Cooper Was Just Asked If She Thinks About Her Former "Call Her Daddy" Co-Host Sofia Franklyn

Alex Cooper is reflecting on her recent successes.

  Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

The host of the popular Call Her Daddy podcast was tapped by Peacock to be one of their hosts at the Olympics this summer.

Alex Cooper interviewing an Olympian
NBC Universal / Via youtube.com

And earlier this month, Kamala Harris appeared on Call Her Daddy for a notable interview.

  Call Her Daddy / Via youtube.com
Call Her Daddy / Via youtube.com

This is all against the backdrop of Alex signing a deal with SiriusXM to bring Call Her Daddy to the platform for $125 million starting in 2025. This is her second large payday for the podcast, having previously struck a $60-million three-year deal with Spotify in 2021.

  Gotham/GC Images
Gotham/GC Images

But there was a time when Alex wasn't the only podcaster associated with Call Her Daddy. In fact, in a Hollywood Reporter cover story on Wednesday, she reflected on her headline-making business separation from her original co-host, Sofia Franklyn, years ago in light of her recent successes.

Alex in sunglasses wears a black tank top and white skirt, walking outdoors with a camera operator in the background
Gotham/GC Images

Alex and Sofia began Call Her Daddy in 2018 when they were roommates. The podcast was quickly acquired by Barstool Sports that year and became a hit. However, following a business disagreement with Barstool's owner Dave Portnoy, Sofia left the show in 2020, while Alex opted to continue solo.

A closeup of Sofia
John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images

THR asked Alex if Sofia came to mind while signing her lucrative SiriusXM deal. "I think less about the specific person. The thought is: I’m so happy that I trusted myself and fought for this IP [the Call Her Daddy brand and show archive]," she told the publication. "Because I will never forget the day [Barstool founder] Dave Portnoy offered us that IP on a rooftop and I was so elated and being like, 'I will stay another year. I’ll do whatever it takes. I want that IP.'”

  Gotham / Getty Images
Gotham / Getty Images

She said she stayed because she had put "so much sweat equity" into CHD; however, she claimed Sofia had a different perspective.

  Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images
Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images

"On [Sofia's] side, she was like, 'I think we could start a show called 'Girls in the Bathroom,' or whatever, 'and it will be just as good.' And I was like, 'That may be true. But in my personal opinion, I’m not giving up this IP. I don’t want to start over'" Alex said.

A woman on a red carpet wearing a sleeveless top and a flowing skirt holds a small handbag. Others are visible in the background
Gotham/GC Images / Getty Images

"Thank God I saw the worth of the IP and the trademarks and the catalog. That’s what comes to my mind. The minute I sign a new deal, every time, I text Dave Portnoy a little thank-you," she continued.

I don't know who this is. Person on Netflix red carpet in elegant off-shoulder black dress, promoting "Love at First Sight."
Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images for Netflix

Alex also explained that she and Sofia were interested in renegotiating with Barstool because they were "making pennies compared to what the show was making for Barstool."

  Antony Jones / Getty Images for Spotify
Antony Jones / Getty Images for Spotify

She later added that she doesn't judge Sofia for exiting the podcast.

  Elyse Jankowski / Getty Images
Elyse Jankowski / Getty Images

Alex said of Dave's offer at the time, "So when he offered the IP along with not much money for one more year, I didn't give a shit about the money. I was like, 'This IP is a gold mine. I’m going to be a multimillionaire and will be set for life if I just stay one year.'"

Alex with long, wavy hair poses in front of a textured wooden backdrop, wearing a sleeveless top
Weiss Eubanks / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

"I will never judge my ex co-host and former partner for making the decision she did," she continued. "She really saw the lane of not wanting to work another year for Barstool, and I didn't, and that’s business."

  Phillip Faraone / Getty Images for Baby2Baby
Phillip Faraone / Getty Images for Baby2Baby

BuzzFeed has reached out to a representative for Sofia for comment.