Sophie Cunningham expressed disappointment but was “not shocked” by Sydney Sweeney’s latest advertisement for the sports trading app Novig during a September 17 episode of her podcast, “No Hesitation.” The WNBA player shared her thoughts following a flood of messages and comments reacting to the ad, noting that Sweeney, who previously faced criticism for an American Eagle jeans campaign, has once again sparked controversy.
The ad, featuring Sweeney mostly nude with sports equipment like footballs and a basketball hoop strategically covering her body, drew backlash from athletes including gymnast Gracie Kramer and runner Mary McCarthy. Cunningham questioned whether Sweeney even engages with sports betting herself, calling the campaign “inauthentic,” but said she wasn’t surprised given the actress’s history of provocative branding.
Despite this, Cunningham acknowledged her admiration for Sweeney as a person, appreciating how she stands by her choices and commands attention. Yet, Cunningham clarified she personally did not like this specific ad and recognized it fits Sweeney’s reputation for stirring debate. She noted that the ad’s combination of gambling, sports, and scantily clad women would naturally attract attention and controversy, though she found the moral implications somewhat troubling.
Cunningham also pointed out a positive by highlighting the strength and power of female athletes today, celebrating their physicality and the example they set for young girls. She stressed that while some might misinterpret Sweeney’s ad as targeting women in sports, it doesn’t diminish the hard work and respect female athletes have earned. In her view, the ad “has nothing to do with us,” and she encouraged embracing one’s own power regardless of such external portrayals.
Fan Take: This discussion is important for WNBA fans because it highlights ongoing tensions between authentic sports representation and commercial marketing tactics that can sometimes undermine female athletes. How the league and its players respond to such cultural moments could shape the public’s perception and growth of women’s basketball moving forward.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
