Grace O'Malley Joins Alex Cooper's Unwell Network After Abrupt Exit from Barstool Sports: 'Know What Needs to Be Done'

Mar. 15, 2025

Grace O’Malley; Alex Cooper.Photo:Michael Buckner/WWD via Getty; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Michael Buckner/WWD via Getty; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Afterannouncing her departurefrom Barstool Sports,Grace O’Malleyis official joining the ranks atAlex Cooper’sUnwell Network.On Thursday, Dec. 19, Cooper’s media powerhouseshared an Instagram carouselto celebrate O’Malley’s big news. “@gracekomalleyIS UN-F*CKING-WELL!!! Welcome home ❤️👏😉,” read the caption accompanying videos and photos of the comedian, 22, including one of her shouting, “I’m unwell!” before toasting with a cheering group.One day before the announcement, Cooper, 30,teased a collaboration with O’Malleyon TikTok. The lead podcaster shared a screenshot of her recent call history with the stand-up comic and addressed fans in the caption: “You can stop tagging me, I know what needs to be done,” wrote Cooper. O’Malley reposted the video toher own Instagram Stories.The Unwell Network founder and O’Malley have their Barstool alumna status in common. The former star started herCall Her Daddypodcast with founder Dave Portnoy in 2018. In 2021, she signed a $60 million deal with Spotify, and next year, the hit show will move to SiriusXM. (Multipleoutletsreportedthat the deal is said to be worth over $100 million.)Cooper launched Unwell in 2023 with her now-husband,Matt Kaplan. They previously signed influencersAlix Earle, 24,Madeline Argy, 24, andOwen Thiele, 28.Social media personality O’Malley started working with Barstool in 2022 as cohost ofBrianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia’sPlanBri Uncutpodcast. On Monday, Dec. 16, the comedianrevealed that she was leaving Barstoolon her Instagram Stories, shortly after she confirmed that her time onPlanBri Uncutwas coming to an end.“I wanted you guys to hear from me first that this is my last day at Barstool. I’m so grateful to everyone at the company and to Dave for taking a chance on me. I’m just as surprised as you are there are no typos in this statement,” read the text over a photo of O’Malley.News of her Barstool exit came less than a week after LaPagliashared her side of the story regarding their friendshipamid rumors of a rift between the pair on theBFFspodcast.Grace O’Malley in New York City on March 19, 2024.John Nacion/Variety via Getty"I’m always gonna have love for Grace [and] will always cherish everything that we did withPlanBri," she explained, addressing her recent silence on the matter. “I’ve just kinda let everyone make their own opinions.“On Dec. 17, one day after O’Malley’s announcement, Barstool Sports founder David Portnoy shared his thoughts in a video posted onX (formerly known as Twitter). He clarified that he did not play a part in O’Malley’s decision to leave the company, despite rumors circulating online.“Nobody could’ve figured this situation out when two best friends of 20 years get in a fight… and we’re right in the f—— middle,” said the media mogul. “I don’t know what people want Barstool to do. It sucks [and] It’s probably for the best that O’Malley goes on her way and who knows with Bri.”

Afterannouncing her departurefrom Barstool Sports,Grace O’Malleyis official joining the ranks atAlex Cooper’sUnwell Network.

On Thursday, Dec. 19, Cooper’s media powerhouseshared an Instagram carouselto celebrate O’Malley’s big news. “@gracekomalleyIS UN-F*CKING-WELL!!! Welcome home ❤️👏😉,” read the caption accompanying videos and photos of the comedian, 22, including one of her shouting, “I’m unwell!” before toasting with a cheering group.

One day before the announcement, Cooper, 30,teased a collaboration with O’Malleyon TikTok. The lead podcaster shared a screenshot of her recent call history with the stand-up comic and addressed fans in the caption: “You can stop tagging me, I know what needs to be done,” wrote Cooper. O’Malley reposted the video toher own Instagram Stories.

The Unwell Network founder and O’Malley have their Barstool alumna status in common. The former star started herCall Her Daddypodcast with founder Dave Portnoy in 2018. In 2021, she signed a $60 million deal with Spotify, and next year, the hit show will move to SiriusXM. (Multipleoutletsreportedthat the deal is said to be worth over $100 million.)

Cooper launched Unwell in 2023 with her now-husband,Matt Kaplan. They previously signed influencersAlix Earle, 24,Madeline Argy, 24, andOwen Thiele, 28.

Social media personality O’Malley started working with Barstool in 2022 as cohost ofBrianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia’sPlanBri Uncutpodcast. On Monday, Dec. 16, the comedianrevealed that she was leaving Barstoolon her Instagram Stories, shortly after she confirmed that her time onPlanBri Uncutwas coming to an end.

“I wanted you guys to hear from me first that this is my last day at Barstool. I’m so grateful to everyone at the company and to Dave for taking a chance on me. I’m just as surprised as you are there are no typos in this statement,” read the text over a photo of O’Malley.

News of her Barstool exit came less than a week after LaPagliashared her side of the story regarding their friendshipamid rumors of a rift between the pair on theBFFspodcast.

Grace O’Malley in New York City on March 19, 2024.John Nacion/Variety via Getty

John Nacion/Variety via Getty

“I’m always gonna have love for Grace [and] will always cherish everything that we did withPlanBri,” she explained, addressing her recent silence on the matter. “I’ve just kinda let everyone make their own opinions.”

On Dec. 17, one day after O’Malley’s announcement, Barstool Sports founder David Portnoy shared his thoughts in a video posted onX (formerly known as Twitter). He clarified that he did not play a part in O’Malley’s decision to leave the company, despite rumors circulating online.

“Nobody could’ve figured this situation out when two best friends of 20 years get in a fight… and we’re right in the f—— middle,” said the media mogul. “I don’t know what people want Barstool to do. It sucks [and] It’s probably for the best that O’Malley goes on her way and who knows with Bri.”

source: people.com