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'Why are girls mad?': WNBA star Sophie Cunningham backs Sydney Sweeney's nude gambling ad but says it felt 'unauthentic'

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

Sidney Sweeney and Sophie Cunningham. The WNBA player has publicly defended the actress against criticism of her recent naked advertisement.
Sidney Sweeney and Sophie Cunningham. The WNBA player has publicly defended the actress against criticism of her recent naked advertisement.

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has defended Sydney Sweeney against a wave of condemnation from female athletes over the actress's nude sports-betting campaign for Novig, in which Sweeney poses naked covered only by strategically placed sports equipment. Cunningham, speaking on her 'No Hesitation' podcast, said she was baffled by the fury, asking "Why are girls mad? It is a gambling ad: men, sports, naked women — of course that's going to draw attention." She admitted she finds the ad morally "kind of weird" but urged women not to attack Sweeney for doing "her thing."

Cunningham's sharpest jab was at Sweeney's credibility, not her body — questioning whether the actress even uses sports betting apps, calling the ad 'so unauthentic.'

Sweeney has lost more than 200,000 Instagram followers since Novig released the campaign, with Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus among the athletes who condemned it.

BBC presenter Gabby Logan called the ad a "tired cliche" and "depressing," saying female athletes were right to call Sweeney out.

MoreEvening StandardGabby Logan issues scathing takedown of nude Sydney Sweeney adFox NewsSydney Sweeney’s provocative sports ad 'reinforces the image she has already built' despite backlash: expertFox NewsSophie Cunningham says what other gaslighting female athletes won't about the naked Sydney Sweeney ad
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