Sophie Cunningham’s Sydney Sweeney Defense Divides Fans

Sophie Cunningham has entered the debate surrounding Sydney Sweeney’s controversial Novig campaign, and her take has sparked another heated discussion online. The WNBA star defended Sweeney after female athletes accused the actress’ nearly nude sports-themed advertisement of undermining the progress women have made in athletics. While Cunningham, 30, admitted that she found the campaign “weird,” she rejected the argument that it was intended to represent women’s sports. Her remarks quickly circulated on social media, where some fans applauded her for defending Sweeney’s right to make her own choices. Others argued that Cunningham had dismissed legitimate concerns raised by women athletes.

4

Speaking on the “No Hesitation” podcast, Cunningham appeared confused by the level of anger directed at Sweeney, 29.

“Why are girls mad? That is literally what she does. Why is anyone mad?” Cunningham asked. “It is a gambling ad: men, sports, naked women. Of course, that’s going to draw attention.”

The Indiana Fever guard made it clear that she was not necessarily a fan of the campaign herself. However, she believed Sweeney was doing what people had come to expect from her.

“Do I agree with it? Morally, I think it’s kind of weird, but each to their own,” Cunningham continued. “Go do your thing, sis.”

She also praised Sweeney for remaining true to herself despite the criticism.

“She sticks to her guns, and she does her thing, and she’s her. Props to her,” Cunningham said. “Do I like that particular ad? Not really. It’s like, what are we doing? But again, I’m not surprised.”

Female Athletes Condemn Sydney Sweeney’s Campaign

4

The advertisement showed Sweeney posing with sports equipment while promoting Novig, a sports prediction platform. Several female athletes, including Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus and sprinter Amy Hunt, criticized the campaign for relying on sexualized imagery associated with sports. They argued that female competitors have spent years fighting to be recognized for their talent rather than their appearance. The backlash was not limited to professional athletes. Glasgow Women’s Aid also described the campaign as harmful and accused it of using the sexualization of women to attract attention. Novig CEO Jacob Fortinsky maintained that the advertisement was not intended to portray women’s sports. Cunningham similarly argued that critics were connecting the campaign to female athletes when it was really designed to promote gambling.

“I can understand when you first see that ad that it could kind of deflate women because it’s like we’ve worked so hard to get a little bit of respect around here,” she said. “But when you really think about it, it’s like, screw it, let that girl do her thing. This has nothing to do with us.”

Fans Support Sophie Cunningham’s Defense

A clip of Cunningham’s comments circulated on X after BrickCenter declared that she had “WENT OFF” on Sweeney’s critics. Several users agreed with Cunningham’s distinction between sports gambling and women’s sports.

“Sydney was promoting SPORTS GAMBLING, not WOMEN’S SPORTS,” one fan wrote, describing some of the backlash as “disappointing” and “hypocritical.” Another supporter argued that people should “stop policing someone else’s choices,” while one commenter questioned why Sweeney’s popularity appeared to generate so much hostility. Others went further by suggesting that jealousy was driving the backlash. One user claimed that those criticizing Sweeney simply did not know “how to handle” the attention she receives.

Not Everyone Agreed With Sophie Cunningham

4

Cunningham’s defense did not persuade everyone. One critic called the basketball player a “hypocrite” and accused her of standing for nothing. Another pushed back on the suggestion that people should not be angry, noting that viewers were allowed to form their own opinions about the campaign.

“Pretty sure people are allowed to think whatever they want,” the user wrote. “Love her, hate her, let people think the way they want for any reason they want.”

That response highlighted a weakness in the way Cunningham initially framed her argument. Telling Sweeney to “do her thing” supports personal choice, but the same freedom allows female athletes and viewers to criticize the message they believe the advertisement sends. The basketball star did acknowledge those concerns during the wider conversation. She simply disagreed that the campaign was aimed at women athletes or intended to represent them.

The Debate Remains Bigger Than Sydney Sweeney

4

Some fans felt Cunningham had identified an important distinction. Sweeney was hired to attract attention to a gambling company, not to serve as the face of women’s sports. However, critics argued that the use of athletic equipment made sports part of the campaign’s visual language, regardless of Novig’s stated intention. For them, the issue was not whether Sweeney had the right to pose for the advertisement but whether another highly sexualized sports campaign reinforced stereotypes female athletes have spent years challenging. Cunningham ultimately stood by both Sweeney and the athletes who criticized her.

“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 be an athlete,” she said. “I don’t think the ad was coming for women in sport.”