Dave Portnoy, founding father of Barstool Sports activities, has detailed a contentious fallout with the previous hosts of the favored podcast Name Her Daddy, Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn, in his new memoir. Among the many most severe allegations, Portnoy claims the hosts threatened to manufacture a sexual harassment criticism in opposition to Barstool Sports activities to extricate themselves from their contract. The memoir, titled Cancel Me If You Can, presents Portnoy’s account of the behind-the-scenes occasions resulting in the podcast’s departure from his firm in 2020.
Allegations of Contractual Disputes and Threats
In accordance with Portnoy’s account, discussions for a brand new contract in 2020 precipitated the dramatic break up. He asserts that previous to this, there was no indication of dissatisfaction from Cooper and Franklyn. Portnoy suggests a pivotal second occurred when the hosts appeared on Logan Paul’s podcast in April 2019. He claims Paul influenced their perspective on their contracts and compensation, sowing seeds of discontent.
Following this, Portnoy alleges that Cooper and Franklyn started exhibiting rising dissatisfaction with their association at Barstool. This manifested initially as a decreased presence on the workplace. By late 2019, the scenario escalated considerably, with the Name Her Daddy group hiring authorized illustration and presenting a listing of calls for that Portnoy deemed unreasonable.
Calls for and Counterclaims
Portnoy outlines these calls for in his memoir, stating they included:
- An annual wage of 1 million {dollars} every.
- The suitable to independently promote their very own ads.
- Full possession of the Name Her Daddy mental property.
- Ninety p.c of their merchandise gross sales income.
- A reclassification away from being thought-about Barstool Sports activities staff.
Portnoy additionally implicates Peter Nelson, recognized as a former HBO govt and Franklyn’s then-boyfriend, suggesting he performed a big position in orchestrating these negotiations, describing him in harsh phrases inside the memoir. Nevertheless, Franklyn has beforehand said that hypothesis about Nelson’s in depth involvement was inaccurate.
As negotiations stalled, Portnoy claims the hosts retaliated by halting podcast manufacturing, which he considered as a breach of contract, probably opening the door for authorized motion from Barstool.
The Rooftop Confrontation and ‘Intercourse Plot’ Allegation
The escalating tensions culminated in a personal assembly on the rooftop of Portnoy’s condo constructing. Portnoy states he offered what he thought-about an exceptionally beneficiant supply, designed to make the hosts millionaires. Following this assembly, Portnoy recounts a subsequent, separate assembly with Alex Cooper. Throughout this one-on-one encounter on the identical rooftop, Cooper allegedly expressed a want to just accept Portnoy’s supply, however indicated that Franklyn wouldn’t agree.
It was throughout this dialog that Portnoy claims Cooper revealed their alleged contingency plan. In accordance with Portnoy, Cooper said that if he didn’t launch them from their contract and mental property rights, their technique can be to accuse Barstool Sports activities of sexual harassment. Portnoy asserts this was meant as a tactic to flee their contractual obligations and transfer to a rival platform.
Portnoy expresses concern over the potential influence of such an accusation, noting that whereas Barstool had confronted criticism for its humor, it had by no means been accused of office misconduct. He believed {that a} false sexual harassment declare, no matter its truthfulness, can be tough to fight within the court docket of public opinion, probably damaging Barstool’s popularity irreparably.
Aftermath and Ongoing E-book Initiatives
The Name Her Daddy podcast finally moved to Spotify, with Alex Cooper persevering with the present solo after Sofia Franklyn departed. Cooper reportedly secured a big take care of Spotify, valued at $60 million. The podcast stays a extremely profitable international entity beneath Cooper’s sole course.
Portnoy’s memoir particulars his perspective on these occasions, together with his robust opinions on Sofia Franklyn. He straight labels her a “liar” in his ebook, expressing skepticism about her potential future writings. Portnoy means that public notion would possibly favor Franklyn because of her gender, resulting in a perception in her narrative no matter its accuracy. He concludes by stating that whereas criticism of him is suitable, his dedication to fact is unwavering, and he believes Franklyn’s alleged willingness to lie about sexual harassment is detrimental to real feminist progress.
Each Cooper and Franklyn have pursued separate paths for the reason that break up. Franklyn has launched her personal podcast and can also be reportedly engaged on a ebook. Portnoy acknowledges he’s unaware of the contents of Franklyn’s ebook however reiterates his stance on her credibility.
Conclusion
The narrative offered in Dave Portnoy’s memoir presents a stark account of the enterprise and private dynamics that led to the dissolution of the Name Her Daddy partnership with Barstool Sports activities. The central, most explosive allegation revolves round a purported menace by the hosts to make use of a false sexual harassment declare as leverage to interrupt their contract, a declare Portnoy asserts would have severely broken his firm’s popularity. As each events transfer ahead with their respective ventures and literary initiatives, Portnoy’s memoir offers his definitive perspective on a extremely publicized and acrimonious separation.
