Dave Portnoy isn’t thrilled with Alix Earle’s approach to her spat with Alex Cooper.
During an appearance on the Today show on Tuesday, May 12, Earle, 25, skirted questions about her conflict with Cooper, 31. This prompted Portnoy, 49, to take to social media, criticizing the influencer for sidestepping the issue instead of confronting it head-on.
“I know Alix Earle is adored by her fans. If you browse TikTok or dive into the online realm, especially where her followers thrive, it seems overwhelmingly in her favor,” Portnoy commented during his “Tea by the Sea” segment. “Alix is the quintessential ‘girly girl’ that people love to follow, while Alex Cooper is seen as the savvy businesswoman. Despite my respect for both, I find Alix Earle’s handling of this situation to be utterly disappointing.”
The Barstool Sports founder observed that Earle has been consistently taking jabs at Cooper online — having shared multiple videos criticizing her over recent months. However, despite earlier indications, Earle has yet to clarify the root of their disagreement.
UPDATE 11:55 a.m. ET on 2/26/25: Hours later, Portnoy clarified rumors about a supposed phone call with Earle. “Update – I didn’t call her. I just thought it was funny,” he remarked on Instagram. Original story follows: Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, didn’t hesitate to voice his opinion […]
“Finally, Cooper is like, ‘Enough of this, enough of you being this petty little girly, if you have beef with me, say what it is.’ Alix Earle is like, ‘I’m on it.’ I said maybe it’s hypothetically maybe it’s sarcastic maybe she’s not on it, but I’ll tell you this. Maybe I’m old school — and I’m sure Alix with an I has like 3000 people advising her and rolls around with a team of, like, 40 PR people — but if you’re gonna talk, and talk the talk and take shots, you better answer that bell when someone calls,” Portray said.
He noted his own approach to online beef, pointing out that he doesn’t need a “team” or a “script” and says this with his “whole chest.”
“I’m not going to, like, take these veiled shots at somebody and then when the other person is like, ‘Alright, let’s go, let’s hear what it is,’ just disappear,” he said, adding that he’s now officially Team Cooper. “I still don’t know what the f*** actually happened … but if you’re going to chirp, chirp, chirp, just answer the bell.”
Portnoy ended his lengthy rant by noting that Earle has had “plenty of time” to come forward but has opted to say “zip.”
“So you shouldn’t have been taking shots if you’re not ready to back it up. But they want everybody to be happy-go-lucky and craft an image,” he added.
@stoolpresidente #teabythesea I know all the girlies are #teamalix but I hate the way she’s handled this Alex Cooper controversy.
♬ original sound – Dave Portnoy
Portnoy captioned the video, “Know all the girlies are #teamalix but I hate the way she’s handled this Alex Cooper controversy,” adding the “Tea by the Sea” hashtag.
Us Weekly has reached out to Earle’s team for comment.
Earle was promoting her new Sports Illustrated cover on Tuesday morning when cohost Craig Melvin asked her about the “back and forth” between her and Cooper.
When he inquired as to what was “really going on” between them, Earle dodged the question, replying, “I’m trying to keep things pretty positive today. We don’t have that much time here, honestly. Also, why ruin such a good day with something not so great?”
Melvin then pushed further, asking if there was “legitimate contiguousness” or if the drama had “all been exaggerated,” prompting Earle to respond, “No, it’s exaggerated. I love everyone.”
Earle and Cooper previously worked together when the former launched her “Hot Mess” podcast under Cooper’s Unwell Network in 2023 and developed a friendship. The podcast was later dropped in 2025, sparking speculation of issues between the pair. A source later told Us Weekly exclusively that “tension” had built between the women once they began working together, noting that they “clashed over business” and their personal relationship was in turn affected.
Alex Cooper and Alix Earle‘s drama doesn’t just have Us talking — it also has celebrities weighing in and choosing sides. The influencers originally joined forces when Earle launched her “Hot Mess” podcast in September 2023 under Cooper’s Unwell Network. The podcast was ultimately dropped in February 2025 amid rumors of a rift between Cooper […]
Earlier this year, Earle reposted a TikTok video that accused Cooper of being an “ambulance chaser” who interviewed people at their worst moments, causing Cooper to address Earle head-on.
“I’m really tired of waking up and seeing you using this fake drama to distract from other s*** going online for you. Not interested. I know what happened and so do you,” Cooper shared in an April TikTok video. “So talk. Unless the fake narrative that you’re creating happens to be way more interesting than the truth. I have nothing to hide when it comes to you and me.”
Earle responded with an “OK, on it!” at the time, but has yet to publicly address the feud. Cooper has not responded further after her initial video.