The ongoing public dispute between podcasters Alex Cooper and Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia has drawn a new participant, as Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy publicly addressed the controversy on Wednesday, April 15.
Portnoy, 49, posted a TikTok video responding to LaPaglia's recent statements about Cooper, acknowledging that his colleague had revealed private information. "Brianna just spilled my f***ing tea, what the f***," Portnoy stated in the video, which also included text message exchanges with LaPaglia about her public statements.
The Barstool founder confirmed LaPaglia's account of negotiations involving Grace O'Malley, who previously co-hosted the "PlanBri Uncut" podcast with LaPaglia at Barstool before departing in 2024. O'Malley subsequently signed with Cooper's Unwell Network, a move that apparently triggered discussions between Portnoy and Cooper about media appearances.
According to Portnoy's account, Cooper initially planned to interview O'Malley on "Call Her Daddy" to allow her to share her perspective. Portnoy objected to this arrangement, believing it would negatively impact LaPaglia. "Me and Cooper had a conversation," Portnoy explained. "And she's like, 'I'm gonna do an interview with O'Malley and let her tell her side of the story.'"
Portnoy stated that he offered O'Malley multiple opportunities to speak on his network, which she declined. LaPaglia then proposed joining O'Malley on Cooper's podcast, which Portnoy considered a fair compromise. "Me and Cooper came to an agreement. If O'Malley wouldn't go on with Bri, then she wouldn't put O'Malley on without Bri," Portnoy said. "Maybe I was like, 'I'll go ballistic if you do that.' Maybe. Cause I was protecting Bri a little bit."
The arrangement ultimately resulted in neither podcaster appearing on "Call Her Daddy," as O'Malley refused to participate alongside LaPaglia.
LaPaglia, 26, has inserted herself into the broader conflict between Cooper and influencer Alix Earle, publicly supporting Earle and making allegations about Cooper's business practices and personal conduct. In her Wednesday TikTok video, LaPaglia claimed that Cooper told Portnoy, "I don't give a f*** about Grace. I don't give a f*** about Brianna. All I care about is making money," during discussions about signing O'Malley to Unwell.
LaPaglia also addressed her relationship with both Cooper and Earle, explaining that Portnoy introduced her to Cooper years ago when Cooper's podcast was still part of Barstool. Cooper departed Barstool in 2021 after signing a substantial deal with Spotify. LaPaglia stated she later became friends with Earle, who hosted the "Hot Mess" podcast on Cooper's Unwell Network before leaving in 2025.
"I am friends with Alix Earle. Alix Earle told me everything that transpired between those two, two years ago at the Super Bowl," LaPaglia claimed in her video. "She told me everything. It didn't happen between them at the Super Bowl but that's when she told me everything."
Cooper responded to LaPaglia's involvement on Wednesday by releasing alleged direct messages between the two, arguing that their previous communications were cordial. "Brianna, you coming online saying I'm a mean girl, that I'm going to get destroyed, in peoples comments saying I hate Alex Cooper ... Here are the facts. I have never met you in my life. The only communication we have ever had together is through DM," Cooper wrote via Instagram Story.
LaPaglia dismissed Cooper's message release as manipulative behavior, comparing it to an ex-partner sharing private texts. "And that video you made, that was mean girl 101. That was a mean girl final boss video," LaPaglia stated. "You think I'm a mean girl? That was before I knew anything about you."
The dispute has evolved from professional disagreements within the podcast industry into a public confrontation involving multiple personalities and media networks. The conflict centers on allegations of mistreatment, business ethics, and the breakdown of professional relationships in the digital media landscape.
Despite revealing information LaPaglia shared about him, Portnoy expressed support for his colleague's public statements, telling her he loved how "messy" her response was. The Barstool founder's involvement adds another dimension to the ongoing controversy, which continues to generate significant attention across social media platforms.