On October 24, 2024, the digital sports world lost one of its most authentic voices: Cody Beef Franke, the 31-year-old Barstool Sports personality and former PGA professional golfer, was found unresponsive at his home in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. His death sent shockwaves through both golf circles and the booming world of sports media — not because he was a household name, but because he made everyone who knew him feel like family. The Barstool Sports team, led by founder David Portnoy, called him "family." His fans called him Beef. And for nearly six years, he turned a mispronounced nickname into a brand that connected with millions.
From Ohio Fairways to Dominican Sunsets
Born on June 17, 1993, in Columbus, Ohio, Cody Franke wasn’t just another aspiring pro. He graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in Sports Industry in 2015 and turned pro the same year. He competed in 12 events on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica between 2015 and 2017, with his best finish — T-14 at the 2016 Abierto del Centro in Argentina — showing he had the talent. But the grind, the travel, the pressure? It wore him down. By 2018, he walked away from competitive golf.That’s when his second act began. He joined Barstool Sports as a social media intern in May 2018. What followed was a meteoric rise fueled by charisma, not polish. During a 2019 podcast, Portnoy mispronounced his name as "Cody Beef." Franke didn’t correct him. He leaned in. The persona stuck. And so did the audience.
The Rise of Fore Play and the $248K Income Stream
By January 2020, Franke was a full-time creator. He co-hosted Fore Play, the podcast that turned golf into comedy, with Portnoy and Dan "Big Cat" Katz. Unlike most sports podcasts, Fore Play didn’t feel like a broadcast — it felt like overhearing three guys at the driving range, laughing about missed putts and bad swing thoughts. As of September 2024, it averaged 487,000 weekly downloads.His income reflected his value. Internal Barstool documents show Franke earned $187,500 annually as a salaried employee. Add $42,300 from sponsored golf tutorial videos on YouTube and $18,200 from merchandise tied to his "Beef" brand — and you get $248,000 in documented annual income. Property records show he bought a modest single-story home in Marina del Este, Punta Cana, for $385,000 in March 2022. His net worth at death? Estimated at $625,000 USD, per filings with the Dominican Republic’s Oficina Nacional de Propiedad Industrial.
His Final Post and the Silence That Followed
On October 23, 2024, at 8:42 PM EDT, Franke posted his last Instagram update: a video of his golf swing against a golden Dominican sunset. "Another Dominican sunset session. 100 reps for the homies. #GolfLife," he wrote. It was typical Cody — humble, grateful, a little goofy. The next morning, he was found unresponsive at home. Local police confirmed no signs of foul play. Toxicology results are pending at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Forenses (INACIF) in Santo Domingo, with final autopsy findings expected by November 5, 2024.Who Mourns Him — And Why It Matters
The outpouring wasn’t just from Barstool’s loyal fanbase. Rickie Fowler, a PGA Tour star, posted simply: "Shocked and heartbroken. Cody's love for the game was real." Michael "The Situation" Sorrentino called him "Gone too soon, Beef. The gym won't be the same." Even the PGA of America issued a rare public statement: "We mourn the loss of former PGA professional Cody Franke, whose passion for golf inspired many."What made Franke different? He wasn’t trying to be a celebrity. He was trying to be himself — loud, messy, funny, and deeply passionate about golf. In an era of curated influencers, he was raw. And people noticed.
A Family’s Grief and a Legacy in Motion
His parents, Robert Franke and Susan Franke, of Columbus, Ohio, established a GoFundMe on October 25 to cover repatriation costs. Within 24 hours, 3,217 donors raised $142,850. The funeral is set for October 28 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, with burial at Greenlawn Memorial Park.Barstool Sports announced a tribute episode of Fore Play will air on November 1, 2024, featuring never-before-heard clips from 2020 to 2024. "We’ll keep his voice alive," Portnoy said. "He didn’t just talk about golf. He made it feel like home."
What’s Next? The Unanswered Questions
The cause of death remains unknown. No medical history has been made public. But the timing is haunting: Franke was in peak physical condition, active on social media, and building a life he loved. The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Public Health confirmed the autopsy will be completed by November 5. Until then, the world waits — not just for answers, but for a way to make sense of losing someone who made so many feel seen.Frequently Asked Questions
What was Cody Beef Franke’s role at Barstool Sports?
Cody Franke was a full-time content creator and co-host of the popular golf podcast Fore Play, alongside David Portnoy and Dan "Big Cat" Katz. He joined Barstool in 2018 as a social media intern and rose to prominence through his authentic, humorous take on golf culture. His "Beef" persona, born from a mispronunciation on air, became his brand and helped drive the podcast’s 487,000 weekly downloads.
How much money did Cody Beef Franke make?
Franke earned $187,500 annually as a Barstool employee, plus $42,300 from YouTube golf tutorials and $18,200 from merchandise sales — totaling $248,000 in documented income. His net worth was estimated at $625,000, largely from his property in Punta Cana and diversified content revenue. He lived modestly, avoiding luxury spending despite his earnings.
Why did Cody Franke move to the Dominican Republic?
After retiring from competitive golf in 2018, Franke relocated to Punta Cana for its affordable cost of living, year-round golf access, and relaxed lifestyle. He bought a home there in 2022 and used it as his primary studio for recording Fore Play. The move allowed him to blend his passion for golf with digital content creation in a way that suited his personality — away from the pressures of the U.S. media scene.
What’s the status of the investigation into his death?
Dominican authorities confirmed no signs of foul play, but toxicology results are pending at INACIF. The autopsy is expected to be completed by November 5, 2024. No official cause of death has been released. Franke was reportedly in good health, active daily, and had no known medical conditions disclosed publicly. His family has requested privacy during this time.
How is Barstool Sports honoring Cody’s legacy?
Barstool Sports plans to air a special tribute episode of Fore Play on November 1, 2024, featuring archival audio from 2020 to 2024. Portnoy has vowed to keep the podcast alive as a living memorial. The company also pledged to continue promoting Franke’s golf content and has encouraged fans to donate to his GoFundMe, which raised over $142,000 in one day for repatriation costs.
How did the golf community respond to his death?
The PGA of America, PGA Tour Latinoamérica, and top players like Rickie Fowler publicly mourned Franke. Many highlighted how he made golf feel accessible and fun — a rarity in a sport often seen as stiff or elitist. His ability to connect with everyday golfers, not just pros, made his impact profound. His Instagram posts of casual rounds and backyard drills inspired thousands to pick up a club — and that, more than any stat, was his legacy.
