Sydney Sweeney's revealing Novig sports advert has now prompted an unexpected reaction from Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham, who managed to criticise the campaign and defend the actress in the same breath. Cunningham called the advert 'so inauthentic' and admitted she found it 'morally' weird, but then questioned why women were angry with Sweeney and told her to 'go do your thing, sis'.
Her comments came after Cunningham said she had been flooded with messages, DMs and comments asking for her thoughts on the campaign. Rather than simply siding with either the critics or Sweeney, the basketball player offered a much more complicated take on the advert and the reaction surrounding it.
Cunningham Questions Sweeney's Sports Connection
The biggest sticking point for Cunningham was not necessarily Sweeney's appearance, but whether the actress had a genuine connection to the product she was promoting. During an episode of her No Hesitation podcast, Cunningham asked whether Sweeney even gambles on sports before describing the campaign as 'so inauthentic'.
That was clearly Cunningham's own question rather than a confirmed claim that Sweeney does not gamble on sports. Her point was that the connection between the celebrity and the sports prediction product did not feel convincing to her, particularly when compared with an athlete promoting something directly linked to their career.
She Admits She Does Not Like The Advert
Cunningham was also unusually direct about the advert itself, making clear that she was not a fan of the campaign. She said she liked Sweeney personally and respected that the actress 'sticks to her guns', but added that she did not particularly like 'that particular ad'.
At the same time, Cunningham acknowledged the commercial reality behind it. She noted that Sweeney was making money from the campaign and suggested that the actress was simply doing something that fitted the image she had already established publicly.
Her 'Why Are Girls Mad?' Question
That led to the line that gave Cunningham's reaction its biggest twist. She asked, 'Why are girls mad?' before arguing that Sweeney's involvement should not have been surprising given the combination of sports, men and a revealing presentation used in the campaign.
Cunningham was not saying she personally approved of the advert. Instead, she appeared to separate her opinion of the campaign from her opinion of Sweeney, arguing that disliking the advert did not necessarily mean women should direct their anger at the actress who appeared in it.
Cunningham Calls The Campaign 'Morally Weird'
Cunningham then added another layer by admitting that she considered the advert 'kind of weird' from a moral perspective. She also recognised that the campaign could feel discouraging to women who have spent years trying to earn greater respect for their achievements in sport.
She explained that women athletes have worked hard to be recognised for their abilities, making the focus on a revealing celebrity image potentially frustrating for some. Still, Cunningham stopped short of blaming Sweeney personally for the campaign or suggesting that one advert represented all women in sport.
She Still Tells Sweeney To 'Go Do Your Thing'
Despite those reservations, Cunningham ultimately drew a line between criticising the advert and attacking Sweeney. She repeatedly praised the actress for being herself, making her own choices and taking opportunities that suited her.
Her blunt conclusion was simple: 'Go do your thing, sis.' Cunningham also used the moment to praise women athletes who embrace their strength, muscular physiques and distinctive body shapes rather than trying to fit a traditional image of femininity.
Social Media Adds Its Own Twist
Cunningham's comments quickly became another talking point online, with some social-media users praising her for speaking openly while others offered their own theories about the reaction to Sweeney. Some commenters speculated about Sweeney's political views or compared the advert with provocative celebrity advertising campaigns from the past, including Paris Hilton's famous Carl's Jr. campaign.
Sydney Sweeney doing sexy ads isn’t some new thing. Don’t yall remember Paris Hilton eating the Hardee’s burger? (Or Carls Junior burger depending on where you live)
— H B (@br46806818) September 18, 2026
Those comments are opinions from individual social-media users, not established explanations for the backlash. What Cunningham herself actually said was more measured: she questioned the advert's authenticity, found parts of it morally uncomfortable, but still believed Sweeney should be allowed to make her own choices.
