Sydney Sweeney and Sophie Cunningham have faced criticism for their public actions and opinions, drawing attention beyond their professional accomplishments. Dan Dakich, a former ESPN basketball analyst, player, and coach, has commended both women for standing by their choices despite public scrutiny.
On his Don't @ Me show, Dakich highlighted Sweeney's recent Novig advertisement. He also noted that Sweeney and Cunningham have remained steadfast despite criticism.
“Hell yeah. Good for her.”
— Don’t @ Me (@DontAtMeDD) October 13, 2026
Sydney Sweeney is NOT backing down and @dandakich is loving it! pic.twitter.com/V0cRuJo4pP
Dakich Praises Sweeney's Ad
Dakich commended Sweeney's recent advertisement for the sports prediction platform Novig, released on 11 October. In the advertisement, Sweeney wears white underwear featuring Novig's logo and jokes about men creating spreadsheets to bet on its colour.
'There are grown men making spreadsheets to bet on what colour underwear I'm wearing,' she says, adding, 'I mean, I'm flattered'. Sweeney then compares sports prediction markets to betting on politics, wars, and other real-life events.
Babe wake up new Sydney Sweeney Novig ad just dropped pic.twitter.com/UMt0FjwZt7
— Peter Joseph Millar II, PGA, CFA (@FairwayFelon) October 11, 2026
'I saw this last night and Danny likely. Sydney Sweeney and sports prediction platform Novig have released another ad that will surely enrage the woke mob. "There you go, perfect! You go, girl! Hell Yeah!",' Dakich remarked on his show.
He then connected Sweeney's response to the advertising controversy with Cunningham's commitment to her own views. 'That's what I like about Sydney Sweeney and Sophie Cunningham; they're not backing down to these douchebags,' he declared.
The new campaign follows criticism of Sweeney's previous Novig advertisement, which featured her posing provocatively with sports equipment. Some female athletes argued that the campaign sexualised women in sport rather than highlighting their athletic accomplishments.
Australian Olympic swimming champion Ariarne Titmus criticised the campaign, while British sprinter Amy Hunt offered a different perspective on the representation of women athletes. Despite the criticism, Sweeney released another advertisement, which Dakich viewed as evidence of her resilience.
Cunningham Faces Fever Criticism
Dakich's comparison underscores the scrutiny Cunningham has encountered since joining the Indiana Fever. Following the team's first-round playoff exit, The Athletic columnist Candace Buckner recommended the franchise part ways with Cunningham, describing her as 'too combustible' alongside Caitlin Clark.
Buckner criticised Cunningham's public profile and off-court remarks, suggesting they may overshadow her performance. Cunningham has consistently defended her approach instead of letting criticism affect her self-presentation.
#Fever guard Sophie Cunningham on her trans comments in ESPN:
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) July 22, 2026
“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense. … I think it’s really important to protect children.”
“I don’t dislike anyone. … I’m there to love, but I’m also there to love biological women. …” pic.twitter.com/3OrIqoVYrk
Controversy involving Cunningham extends beyond her role with the Fever. Her views on transgender participation in women's sports have attracted criticism, while former teammate Sydney Colson discussed white players' views on transgender athletes on the Unsupervised with Syd & TP podcast.
Colson criticised white players who remain silent or express what she described as harmful views on transgender athletes. Although she did not name Cunningham in remarks reported by the New York Post, Dakich interpreted the comments as directed at Cunningham and challenged Colson's position.
Sharing a post on X, Dakich wrote, 'So much for "sisterhood"!' Separately, in a YouTube video posted on 13 October, Dakich pinned a comment contrasting Colson with Cunningham. 'Sydney Colson is a great representation of ALL that is wrong with the circus league, aka, the WNBA' and called Cunningham 'a beacon of light in that dumpster fire of a league'.
Donald Trump on Sophie Cunningham:
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) October 13, 2026
“I like Sophie. You have a lot of men wanting to go and watch her. She’s beautiful…”
“You probably wouldn’t mind her on the team. Not to help with points, but to help you with attendance.” pic.twitter.com/3P3zbXvUhI
Dakich Targets Stephen A Smith
Dakich used the comparison between Sweeney and Cunningham to criticise fellow commentator Stephen A Smith, accusing him of apologising too readily when facing backlash. He argued that public figures should stand by their positions rather than retreat in response to criticism.
'While Stephen A Smith is being an idiot, apologising at every turn, "Oh My God!",' Dakich said. 'Sydney Sweeney and Sophie Cunningham just say, "Aye, S***k it!".'
His comments present the two women as public figures who remain unapologetic in the face of criticism. However, their controversies differ: Sweeney's involves the portrayal of women in advertising, while Cunningham's concerns her basketball career and public views on transgender athletes.
For Dakich, the common thread is their refusal to change their approach to appease critics. He contrasts this with what he sees as Smith's tendency to retract controversial remarks.
