WNBA player Sophie Cunningham has voiced her bewilderment regarding the backlash against actress Sydney Sweeney's recent sports betting commercial. The advertisement, which featured Sweeney appearing nude and using sports equipment to cover herself, has led to significant criticism and a loss of over 200,000 Instagram followers for Sweeney.
Female athletes have specifically called out Sweeney for misrepresenting women in sports. However, Cunningham, speaking on her podcast "No Hesitation," questioned the intensity of the negative reaction.
"Why are girls mad?" Cunningham asked. "That is literally what she does. Why is anyone mad? It is a gambling ad: men, sports, naked women. Of course that's going to draw attention."
While Cunningham acknowledged that she found the ad "morally... kind of weird," she stated, "each to their own. Go do your thing, sis."
This is not the first time Cunningham has commented on Sweeney. The WNBA star previously went viral after meeting Sweeney at a NASCAR event, later posting a photo with the caption, "One of us forgot our t*ts at home."
Sweeney has been involved in other provocative advertising campaigns, including a past American Eagle jeans ad that sparked debate. The CEO of the gambling company Novig, Jacob Fortinsky, stated that Sweeney was instrumental in the creative direction of the recent commercial.
British Olympian Amy Hunt was among those who criticized the ad, asserting in a post-race interview that "This is what women in sport look like." She further elaborated on "Good Morning Britain," emphasizing the importance of showcasing women's athletic abilities over their physical appearance, particularly when setting examples for young girls.
Despite not agreeing with the criticism leveled at Sweeney, Cunningham praised the athletes who have spoken out against the advertisement. "At the end of the day, I'm really loving seeing all these girls who are powerful, strong, showing young girls what it looks like to actually be an athlete," she said.
Cunningham also shared her personal experiences with body image and self-acceptance, encouraging girls to embrace their physical attributes, such as height and strength. "Don't shrink to make other people feel better about themselves," she advised.
The Novig advertisement featuring Sweeney has notably appeared on billboards in New York's Times Square.