Sophie Cunningham isn’t one to hold back, and she just took aim at Sydney Sweeney’s viral advertisement for Novig, a sports prediction market. The Indiana Fever guard dropped a candid take during Thursday’s episode of her “No Hesitation” podcast, directly questioning the ad’s authenticity and whether Sweeney even gambles on sports herself. Cunningham didn’t mince words, flat out asking, “Does she even gamble on sports?” before declaring, “It’s just so inauthentic.” Ouch.
Calling Out The Ad’s Vibe
That “inauthentic” jab was just the start, folks. The Novig campaign, plastered all over social media, showed Sweeney posing with equipment from a bunch of different sports. The company’s message? “Confirmed: Sydney Sweeney knows ball.” But Cunningham wasn’t buying it. She made it crystal clear she wasn’t a fan of the ad, saying, “Do I like that particular ad? Not really.” It’s a bold move to call out such a high-profile campaign, especially when everyone else seems to be just reacting to the visuals. Cunningham cuts right to the core of it, asking us all to think about what’s real and what’s just for show in the wild world of sports marketing.
It’s Not A Personal Attack, It’s About The Message
Even with her strong criticism of the ad, Cunningham was quick to balance things out. She made sure everyone knew she wasn’t personally coming for Sweeney. “I like her,” Cunningham said, giving props to the actress for sticking to her guns and doing her own thing. She totally gets that Sweeney’s image is part of her brand, and that, hey, getting paid and grabbing attention are the main goals of any big ad campaign. Cunningham even pushed back on the online outrage, asking, “Why are girls mad? That is literally what she does. Why is anyone mad? Of course that’s going to draw attention.” While she called the ad “kind of weird” from her own perspective, Cunningham kept circling back to the idea that Sweeney should be free to make her own choices, saying, “Go do your thing, sis.” It’s a complicated take that’s way more nuanced than just a simple thumbs up or thumbs down.
Why This Hits Harder For Women’s Sports
Cunningham totally gets why this Novig ad caused such a stir in the women’s sports community. Think about it: women athletes have been fighting tooth and nail for years to get their performance, their accomplishments, and their actual personalities recognized, instead of just their appearance. With the WNBA blowing up right now and growing like crazy, fans and players alike are screaming for marketing campaigns that actually showcase the incredible quality of the competition. Cunningham admitted that seeing an ad like Sweeney’s can feel discouraging for all the women who are working so hard to earn respect for their athletic abilities. It’s a crucial point, highlighting the ongoing battle for equitable and meaningful representation in sports.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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