Barstool’s Dave Portnoy Reveals 22-Minute Phone Call With Alix Earle After Alex Cooper Podcast Drama

Breaking News: Drama Unfolds Between Alex Cooper and Alix Earle

The world of podcasting is abuzz with the latest drama involving two of its biggest names: Alex Cooper, founder of the Unwell Network, and rising star Alix Earle. On Tuesday, February 21, Variety broke the news that Earle’s popular podcast, “Hot Mess,” had been dropped from Cooper’s Unwell Network. The announcement sent shockwaves through the industry, sparking intense speculation among fans and insiders alike. But one person who didn’t waste any time weighing in on the situation was none other than Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports and a key figure in Cooper’s own podcasting journey.

Dave Portnoy’s Involvement: A Call to Alix Earle

Portnoy, who has long been a controversial but influential voice in the media world, took to social media to reveal that he had been in direct contact with Earle. The 47-year-old entrepreneur shared a screenshot of a 22-minute phone call with someone listed as “Alixearlenew” on both his Instagram Stories and grid. The call took place on the same day the news broke, at 4:47 p.m., and Portnoy accompanied the post with a telling caption: “You can stop tagging me. I know what needs to be done 😘.”

The post, which also featured Portnoy sipping from a can and playfully wagging his finger to the tune of The Lion King’s “Circle of Life,” sparked a flurry of theories in the comments section. Some fans speculated that Barstool Sports might be looking to recruit Earle, while others drew connections to the broader dynamics between Cooper, Portnoy, and other podcasters who have moved between their networks. Portnoy’s representatives have yet to provide further comment, leaving the exact nature of his conversation with Earle shrouded in mystery.

The Backstory: Alex Cooper, Dave Portnoy, and the “Call Her Daddy” Legacy

For those unfamiliar with the history, it’s worth noting that Cooper and Portnoy have a long-standing professional relationship. Portnoy was Cooper’s boss when she first launched her wildly successful podcast, “Call Her Daddy,” under Barstool Sports in 2018. The show quickly gained traction for its unapologetic humor and candid discussions about sex, relationships, and millennial life. However, Cooper’s tenure at Barstool wasn’t without drama. In 2020, she and her cohost, Sofia Franklyn, got into a public dispute, leading to Franklyn’s departure from the podcast. Cooper continued on her own, and the following year, she inked a lucrative deal with Spotify, moving “Call Her Daddy” to the platform.

The Unwell Network, which Cooper launched in August 2023, was her next major venture. The network was designed to platform Gen Z voices, with Earle and Madeline Argy’s “Pretty Lonesome” being two of its first signings. Cooper had hoped to create a space for honest, unfiltered conversations about social challenges and personal insecurities—values that resonated deeply with her audience. But with Earle’s exit, questions are now being raised about the future of the network and Cooper’s relationships with her talent.

The Speculation: What’s Next for Alix Earle?

Earle’s departure from the Unwell Network comes on the heels of mounting speculation about her relationship with Cooper. Fans first began to notice tensions when Earle was conspicuously absent from the Unwell Network’s Super Bowl party earlier this month. Despite being in New Orleans, where the event was held, Earle did not attend, fueling rumors of a rift between her and Cooper. While neither party has publicly addressed the situation, the timing of Earle’s exit suggests that the issues may have been simmering for some time.

Portnoy’s rapid insertion into the drama has only added to the intrigue. His phone call with Earle has led many to wonder whether Barstool Sports is looking to poach her, especially given the recent movement of other high-profile podcasters between networks. For instance, Grace O’Malley, a former Barstool personality, left the company in December 2024 to join Cooper’s Unwell Network, where she launched her own podcast, “Disgraceful,” just days before Earle’s exit. Could Earle be next to make the leap? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the podcasting world is watching closely.

The Bigger Picture: The Podcasting Industry’s Cutthroat Landscape

Beyond the drama, this situation highlights the increasingly competitive and cutthroat nature of the podcasting industry. As platforms and networks vie for talent and listeners, creators are constantly navigating shifting alliances, lucrative deals, and public scrutiny. For figures like Cooper, who have built their brands on authenticity and raw honesty, maintaining those values while managing a growing network can be a daunting task. And for someone like Portnoy, who has long been a power broker in the media space, the opportunity to step in and shape the narrative is too great to pass up.

As the dust settles on this latest development, fans will be eager to see where Earle lands next—and whether Cooper and the Unwell Network can weather the storm. One thing’s for sure: in the world of podcasting, the drama is always just one phone call away.