IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
WNBA star Sophie Cunningham is coming to Sydney Sweeney’s defense.
Last week, Sweeney was featured in an explicit ad for the sports betting company Novig. In the viral ad, Sweeney posed in different sports gear while wearing next to nothing.
Confirmed: Sydney Sweeney knows ball. pic.twitter.com/EXQ4PzVZsi
— Novig (@Novig) September 9, 2026
The ad received backlash from female athletes who felt Sweeney was sexualizing women’s sports.
“I can’t describe how infuriated I feel when I watch this,” four-time Olympic swimming gold medalist Ariarne Titmus wrote on Instagram. “How do we live in a world where monetizing a woman’s body and sexualizing women’s sport is still a thing?”
During a recent episode of her ‘No Hesitation’ podcast, Cunningham said she wasn’t a big fan of the ad but went on to defend Sweeney from the backlash she’s been receiving from female athletes..
“I really like her and you know what? She sticks to her guns, and she does her thing, and she’s her,” said Cunningham. “So, like props to her. Do I like it? Like that particular ad? Not really. I think it’s like, I mean like what are we doing? But again, I’m not surprised. Like that’s what that’s what she’s known for. So she’s going to do that. She’s making her money. Go do your thing, sis.”
“But why are girls mad? Like that is that is literally what she does,” said Cunningham. “Why is anyone mad? Like that she they she is it a gambling ad. Men. Sports. Pretty much naked women. Like of course that’s going to draw attention. Again, do I agree with it? Uh, morally I think it’s kind of weird, but like to each their own. Go do your thing, sis. But at the end of the day, I’m really loving seeing all these girls who are powerful, strong, showing young girls what it looks like to actually be an athlete.”
Sophie Cunningham WENT OFF on Sydney Sweeney haters
“Why are girls mad? That is literally what she does… Men, sports, naked women. Of course that’s gonna draw attention… Go do your thing sis.” pic.twitter.com/zxNhxoCNxE
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) September 18, 2026
Novig CEO Jacob Fortinsky has come forward in recent days to say the purpose of the ad wasn’t to diminish women in sports.
“We’re hugely supportive of of women’s sports. I think it’s a huge component our platform,” Fortinsky said. “I think we never intended to portray female sports. Sydney’s an actress, the biggest movie star in the world”