The recent Novig ad where Sydney Sweeney posed nude while promoting sports gambling caused a stir among female athletes, but WNBA star Sophie Cunningham isn't surprised.

Speaking about the controversial ad on her No Hesitation podcast, Cunningham, who met Sweeney at a NASCAR event in 2025, had “so many takes.” The biggest issue she had was Sweeney starring in it at all, as she questioned whether or not she even gambles on sports.

“First of all, does she even gamble on sports? It's just so unauthentic,” she said before adding, “Am I surprised [at] how she represented the brand? No. That's what she's made her whole career off.”

Sophie Cunningham is confused at why people are mad at Sydney Sweeney for her revealing sports ad:

“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/r8V4LYWsq4

— Hater Report (@HaterReport) September 18, 2026

To be clear, Cunningham has no problem with Sweeney flaunting her body. The Indiana Fever guard also applauded the Euphoria actress for sticking to her guns.

Article Continues Below

“Do I like that particular ad? Not really. I mean, like, what are we doing? But again, I'm not surprised. That's what she's known for, so she's gonna do that. She's making her money. Go do your thing, sis.”

Cunningham could not fathom why women were upset by the Novig ad. She explained, “That is literally what she does. Why is anyone mad? It is a gambling ad; men, sports, pretty much naked women, like, of course that's going to draw attention. Again, do I agree with it? Morally, I think it's kind of weird. But to each their own.”

She loves seeing “powerful” female athletes “showing young girls what it looks like to actually be an athlete.” In the same breath, she doesn't believe Sweeney's ad was “coming for women in sport.”

The Fever guard concluded her rant by relating to women in sport. She noted that growing up, she was “taller than all the girls [and] all the guys.” Cunningham was told her height would eventually be her “superpower,” and she doesn't want girls with these kinds of traits to hide them.