Indiana Fever Guard Sophie Cunningham speaks during the Kenny Wallace Live pre-race show before the start of the NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 on September 13, 2026, at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway in Madison, Illinois.

WNBA star Sophie Cunningham has joined the list of pro-athletes to comment on Sydney Sweeney's controversial advert.

Sweeney has come under fire for featuring in a promotional campaign for US sports betting site Novig.

Sydney Sweeney in an advert for Novig
4
Sydney Sweeney appears almost fully nude in multiple photos and videos in a new Novig advertCredit: Instagram / Sydney Sweeney / Novig

In the advert, the actress is wearing little to no clothing, covering herself with sports equipment.

Cunningham has no issue with controversial Sweeney ad

Many female athletes have criticized the advert's over-sexualisation of women in sport, with Sweeney drawing backlash for her involvement in the short video.

Team GB sprinter Amy Hunt was among the first athletes to criticize Sweeney, while four-time Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus described it as 'infuriating'.

For Cunningham, however, the situation called for a very different reaction.

Known for her bold style and outspoken personality, the Indiana Fever guard offered a far more nuanced take, defending the right of women to leverage their image on their own terms.

"I have so many takes. But first of all, does she even gamble on sports? It’s so unauthentic," Cunningham said in the latest episode of her 'No Hesitation' podcast.

"Am I surprised how she represented the brand? That’s what she made her whole career off.

"Don’t get me wrong, I like her. She sticks to her guns, and she does her thing and she’s her. Props to her. Do I like it? Like that particular ad? Not really.

"I think it’s like, what are we doing? But again, I’m not surprised.

"That’s what she’s known for. She’s making her money. Go do your thing, sis.

Amy Hunt at the World Athletics Ultimate Championships
4
Amy Hunt immediately took aim at Sweeney after falling just short of a medal at the World Athletics Ultimate ChampionshipsCredit: Getty
Sophie Cunningham 8 of the Indiana Fever drives to the basket during the game against the Toronto Tempo on September 18, 2026 at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Canada
4
Cunningham defended Sweeney's ad campaignCredit: Getty
Sydney Sweeney attends the World Premiere of Sony Pictures' "Madame Web" at Regency Village Theatre on February 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
4
Sweeney has had starring roles on The White Lotus, Anyone But You and EuphoriaCredit: Getty

"But why are girls mad? That is literally what she does. Why is anyone mad? It is a gambling ad: men, sports, pretty much naked women.

“Of course, that’s going to draw attention. Again, do I agree with it? Morally, I think it’s kind of weird, but each to their own. Go do your thing, sis.”

How Sweeney responded to backlash

Sweeney, whose big break came in the popular television series Euphoria, followed by the 2025 film Christy, a biopic about the legendary female boxer Christy Martin, hit back at her critics, sharing a series of pictures of female athletes who have also posed nude in their careers.

Sweeney posted nude campaigns of sporting greats Serena Williams, Ronda Rousey, Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe and Caroline Wozniacki.

She also posted male athletes Myles Garrett, Rob Gronkowski and Jason Kelce who have posed nude during their careers.

Sweeney’s response pointed to what she sees as a double standard in sports media.

Topics