Actress Sydney Sweeney is facing widespread online criticism over a new advertising campaign for sports prediction platform Novig, with many social media users, including women working in the sports industry, arguing the ad’s imagery undermines efforts to be taken seriously in a male-dominated field.

Sweeney partnered with Novig on Wednesday to promote the platform, which launched last month. Beyond appearing in the campaign, she also joined the company as a strategic partner and equity holder. According to a release from the company, Novig’s platform “combines the mechanics of modern financial exchanges with a sports-first experience, creating a more efficient and transparent way for fans to trade on sports outcomes.” The release also described the app as “the only prediction market to maintain a 21+ age requirement,” which the company said “sets a higher standard for responsible participation as the category continues to grow.”

Widespread criticism online

The campaign drew rapid backlash across social media platforms after its release, with critics arguing its imagery, which shows Sweeney’s body styled with sports equipment and uniforms, was inappropriately sexualized given the age-restricted platform’s marketing claims about responsibility.

A TikTok user commenting on a post from Marissa Womack, manager of game day promotions and programming for minor league baseball team the Harrisburg Senators, described watching the ad air on television while her children were in the room. “I couldn’t believe when that ad came on the tv. I had my 2 children in the living room I had to yell at them to look away from the TV. I don’t understand WHY they would need to create such a [vulgar] ad,” the commenter wrote.

Other criticism appeared directly in the comments section of Sweeney’s own Instagram post promoting the campaign. One commenter pointed to what they described as inconsistent content moderation on the platform, writing, “Love how @instagram allows for stuff like this but the moment I post something in a bikini, the post is removed.” Another questioned the ad’s engagement numbers relative to its reach, writing, “22.4 million views but not even 1 million likes… why? Because this is not what we want for our sports ads. ESPECIALLY when kids like and follow sports as well.” Additional comments on the post described the ad using terms including “disgusting,” “pathetic,” “sad” and “inappropriate.”

Industry voices push back specifically on representation

Some of the sharpest criticism came from women working within the sports industry itself. Womack, addressing the campaign directly in her TikTok video, framed her frustration around the broader challenge of being taken seriously in the field.

“This [criticism] isn’t about me being jealous or insecure of [Sweeney],” Womack said. “It’s about the fact that this is already a male-dominated field where we are constantly having to prove why we belong. It’s about having passions and joy working in this industry and when the only representation is sexualization, you see less and less young women wanting to pursue this industry!”

Sam Tirelli, a studio and field director for a Maryland-based sports network, also shared the ad, prompting further criticism in the comments. One user wrote, “There is 0 reason to have somebody naked just saying sports over and over again. You can make amazing ads and content without constantly having women be sexualized.”

Sweeney’s response

Sweeney has characterized the campaign in her own public comments as a playful concept centered on the sport itself. “The concept is simple: cut through the noise and put the focus entirely on sports,” she said in a statement. “The campaign brings that idea to life with confidence, humor and a playful edge.”

In promotional material tied to the campaign, Sweeney also emphasized boundaries around what could be traded on the platform, saying, “No betting on wars or deaths, and no politics,” before adding, “Just you, your takes and sports.” A press release for the campaign included a tagline describing the effort: “Ahead of football season, Sydney Sweeney is putting the focus exactly where it belongs, on ‘Just Sports.’”

The Hollywood Reporter said it reached out to representatives for both Novig and Sweeney for comment but had not received a response by the time of publication.

Part of a recurring pattern of controversy

This is not the first time one of Sweeney’s brand campaigns has generated significant public backlash. In 2025, her advertising campaign for American Eagle jeans drew widespread criticism after a line in the ad, in which Sweeney said, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My jeans are blue,” prompted some viewers to interpret the campaign’s “Great Jeans” tagline as an allusion to eugenics. The backlash was significant enough that American Eagle issued a public statement at the time, saying in part, “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story.”

Sweeney has addressed that earlier controversy in subsequent interviews, saying the reaction “definitely was a surprise.” When asked by a Cosmopolitan interviewer about being labeled with a political nickname following the American Eagle campaign, Sweeney said she has consistently avoided discussing her personal politics publicly. “I’ve never been here to talk about politics. I’ve always been here to make art, so this is just not a conversation I want to be at the forefront of,” she said, adding, “I’m not a political person. I’m in the arts. I’m not here to speak on politics.”

As of this report, neither Sweeney nor Novig had issued a direct public response addressing the specific criticism surrounding the new campaign’s imagery. Given the scale of the online reaction and the attention the ad has already generated, further commentary from either party, or additional coverage of the campaign’s rollout, remains possible in the days ahead.

Lionel Messi moved to within a single goal of the century mark for Inter Miami on Saturday night, scoring a stoppage-time equalizer that ultimately wasn’t enough to prevent the club from settling for a 2-2 draw against Eastern Conference leaders Nashville SC.

The goal was Messi’s 99th in 114 appearances for Inter Miami since joining the club in the summer of 2023, extending a scoring record that has already redefined expectations for what a player in his late 30s can accomplish in Major League Soccer.

How Saturday’s match unfolded

Inter Miami entered the top-of-the-table clash with Nashville in need of a result, having won just one of its previous six matches heading into the weekend. That poor stretch had left the club trailing well off the pace in the race for the top spot in MLS’s Eastern Conference standings.

The night started poorly for the home side, with Nashville taking an early lead just four minutes into the match. Inter Miami responded, and Messi was among the scorers who pulled the club level, finishing from the edge of the penalty area with his left foot to make it 1-1.

For a stretch of the match, Inter Miami appeared positioned to secure a much-needed victory. That hope was dashed in stoppage time, when Nashville’s Sam Surridge tapped home an equalizer to secure a 2-2 final score, leaving Miami still searching for the kind of result that could meaningfully close the gap in the conference standings.

Following the draw, Nashville sits nine points clear of Inter Miami in the Eastern Conference with nine rounds of matches remaining in the regular season, a gap that leaves Miami’s path back into first place increasingly difficult with the campaign entering its final stretch.

A record-setting run in South Florida

Messi’s 99th goal continues one of the most statistically dominant stretches of his storied career. Since arriving in Major League Soccer in the summer of 2023, the Argentine has become the fastest player in league history to reach 100 combined goals and assists, hitting that mark in just 64 appearances during a match against Toronto FC earlier this season, 31 games faster than the previous record holder, Sebastian Giovinco. That milestone breaks down into 59 goals and 41 assists compiled prior to Saturday’s match, according to figures released by Inter Miami CF.

Messi also became just the eighth player in club history to reach 100 total appearances for Inter Miami earlier this year, a milestone he marked in typically productive fashion, recording a goal and an assist in that match even though Inter Miami ultimately lost 4-3 to rival Orlando City in a wild Florida derby.

Beyond his MLS totals, Messi passed the 900-goal mark for his overall career earlier this year, a milestone reached in a CONCACAF Champions Cup match against Nashville, coincidentally the same opponent Inter Miami faced again on Saturday. That strike brought his Inter Miami tally to 81 goals at the time, adding to a career total that includes 672 goals for Barcelona, 32 for Paris Saint-Germain and 115 for the Argentina national team.

Reflecting on Messi’s scoring totals ahead of that 900th-goal milestone, Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano, a former teammate of Messi’s at both Barcelona and with the Argentina national team, offered a candid assessment of what it has been like to witness the numbers pile up from the sideline.

“I haven’t contributed much to him scoring goals, neither with assists nor now as a coach,” Mascherano said. “I’ve been lucky enough to see most, or many, of the goals he’s scored, much closer than you all, and that’s a privilege. The number we’re talking about (900) is insane, and that’s why Leo is a one of a kind.”

Trophies alongside the individual milestones

Messi’s individual scoring feats have come alongside sustained team success since his arrival in South Florida. He has captained Inter Miami to each of the club’s first four major trophies, winning the 2023 Leagues Cup, the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield, the 2025 Eastern Conference title and the 2025 MLS Cup. With Inter Miami now working to close the gap on Nashville in this year’s conference race, a repeat run through the postseason in 2026 remains a central goal for the club as the regular season winds down.

With nine matches remaining in the regular season and Messi sitting on the doorstep of 100 career goals for the club, attention will now turn to when the milestone strike finally arrives. Inter Miami’s ability to close the nine-point gap on Nashville atop the Eastern Conference will likely hinge heavily on Messi’s continued scoring form, particularly given the club’s inconsistent run of results heading into Saturday’s draw.

For a player who turned 38 earlier this year, the pace at which Messi continues to produce both goals and assists remains a central storyline of MLS’s current season, with comparisons frequently drawn to other veteran stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who reached his own 100 goal-contribution milestone with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia shortly before turning 40. As Inter Miami looks to salvage its position in the conference standings over the season’s final stretch, Messi’s continued pursuit of individual milestones is likely to remain one of the league’s most closely watched storylines heading into the postseason.

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Passengers screamed in terror as severe turbulence rocked a Turkish Airlines flight during its descent into Tunisia, with one traveler saying the plane “started to plummet” after repeated attempts to land in stormy weather.

The flight from Istanbul was approaching Tunis-Carthage International Airport on Thursday when poor weather turned what had been a smooth journey into a frightening ordeal.

Passenger Marina Maiskaya shared video to Instagram that shows passengers gripping their seats as the aircraft shakes, with screams erupting throughout the cabin while the plane circles ahead of an attempted landing.

‘WE THOUGHT WE WOULD DIE’: PASSENGERS THROWN INTO CEILING DURING TERRIFYING FLIGHT

Passenger Marina Maiskaya shared video of terrifying turbulence during the aircraft’s descent during stormy weather. (mmaiskaya via Storyful / Storyful)

“The flight itself was smooth, but things turned absolutely terrifying as soon as we began our descent,” she wrote. “I have never in my life feared for my life like that — and my mom was with me, too.”

The passenger said the pilot made three attempts to land at the airport while flying through the storm.

A Turkish Airlines plane lands at Istanbul Airport in Turkey, on Sept. 1, 2026. (Moe Zoyari/Sipa USA / Reuters Photos)

“We were shaken violently each time, and on the third attempt, we actually started to plummet,” she wrote.

DELTA FLIGHT DIVERTED TWICE AFTER LAVATORY LEAK FLOODS CABIN, LEAVES PASSENGERS STRANDED FOR HOURS

The aircraft ultimately diverted from Tunis-Carthage International Airport to Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport, about 60 miles south of Tunis.

An Airbus A330-300 aircraft operated by Turkish Airlines takes off at Cointrin Airport in Geneva, Switzerland, April 24, 2026. (Reuters/Denis Balibouse / Reuters Photos)

Despite the frightening descent, the flight landed safely.

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“We made it through safely — perhaps thanks to the Turkish Airlines pilots,” Maiskaya wrote.

Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Real Madrid earned a commanding 4-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, pulling the club level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga after a difficult week that had tested manager Jose Mourinho‘s squad.

The win marked a bounce-back performance for Real Madrid following a loss to Real Betis in their previous league outing, and it came just days after the team’s midweek Champions League fixture against Inter Milan. Mourinho’s side wasted little time asserting control over their crosstown rivals, building a three-goal cushion before halftime.

A fast start puts the game away early

Real Madrid opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Mbappe converted from the penalty spot after Rayo defender Florian Lejeune fouled Alvaro Carreras inside the box. Mbappe sent goalkeeper Emil Audero the wrong way to give the hosts an early lead and register his sixth goal of the domestic season.

The second goal followed just three minutes later. Lejeune gave the ball away under pressure from Vinicius Junior, and Carreras combined with Mbappe before finding the back of the net himself, doubling Real Madrid’s advantage inside the opening 20 minutes.

Real Madrid’s wide players continued to cause problems for Rayo’s defense as the half progressed. Vinicius Junior and Yan Diomande, making his first career start for the club following his arrival in August, found ample space to operate on the flanks. In the 34th minute, Diomande raced down the left before squaring the ball to Jude Bellingham, who was positioned just inside the box and side-footed a finish into the bottom corner with minimal fuss, extending the lead to 3-0 before the break.

Rayo respond but can’t complete the comeback

Rayo Vallecano pulled a goal back early in the second half through Sergio Camello, offering a brief window of hope for the visitors. For a stretch afterward, Rayo enjoyed more comfortable possession in Real Madrid’s half and kept goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois busy, while frustration visibly mounted on Mourinho’s side of the touchline, mirrored by whistles from portions of the Bernabeu crowd.

Real Madrid nearly extended their lead with 13 minutes remaining, when substitute Denzel Dumfries connected with a cross from fellow substitute Arda Guler, only to be denied by a spectacular save from Audero. Real Madrid finally sealed the result in the 91st minute, when Mbappe struck again on the counter-attack to complete his brace and push his season tally to seven goals across all competitions.

Mourinho praises his side’s mental resilience

Speaking to Real Madrid TV after the match, Mourinho emphasized how important the victory was given the circumstances surrounding it, both the prior league defeat and the physical toll of a midweek European fixture.

“It was fundamental to win, above all after losing the last game in La Liga,” Mourinho said. “We killed the game in the first half — that’s not easy, working like we did after the Champions League game, not just physically, but mentally.”

Rayo’s coach reflects on a difficult start

Rayo Vallecano manager San Jose acknowledged that his side’s slow start effectively decided the match, while praising his players’ response after halftime.

“Conceding the [early] penalty was a blow, then we had another mistake when bringing the ball out,” San Jose said. “I think we could have scored in the first half too, but it’s true that they were better… We have to congratulate Madrid, but I’m proud of the players because the second half was much better.”

Standings tighten at the top of La Liga

With the win, Real Madrid moved to 12 points through the opening stretch of the season, drawing level with defending champions Barcelona atop the table. Barcelona were scheduled to visit Levante on Sunday, looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign and reclaim sole possession of first place.

Elsewhere across the matchday’s fixtures, Espanyol defeated Osasuna 2-0 behind an early brace from Roberto Fernandez, while Racing Santander came from behind to beat in-form Alaves 2-1. Athletic Club and Elche played out a 1-1 draw at San Mames, with Elche taking an early lead through a second-half penalty from Facundo Buonanotte before Athletic captain Inaki Williams equalized with 11 minutes remaining.

Real Madrid will return to action Tuesday with a trip to face Elche, while Rayo Vallecano host Espanyol in their next league fixture. For Real Madrid, Saturday’s dominant display offers reassurance heading into a stretch of matches that will test squad depth across both domestic and European competition, particularly with Mourinho having already used his bench strategically to manage minutes for key contributors like Mbappe, Bellingham and Vinicius Junior during the closing stages against Rayo.

For Barcelona, Sunday’s fixture against Levante represents an opportunity to reassert their position at the top of the table, setting up an early-season title race between Spain’s two traditional powerhouses that already appears set to define the opening months of the 2026-27 La Liga campaign.

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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.