# Sophie Cunningham clears up Sydney Sweeney ad backlash

> WNBA star Sophie Cunningham defends Sydney Sweeney's gambling ad as 'not about women's sports'.
- Title: Sophie Cunningham clears up Sydney Sweeney ad backlash
- Summary: WNBA star Sophie Cunningham defends Sydney Sweeney's gambling ad as 'not about women's sports'. WNBA player Sophie Cunningham says Sydney Sweeney's naked…
- Keywords: sophie cunningham, sydney sweeney, novig, wnba, sports betting, nfl, times square, news, politics, Sophie, Cunningham, clears
- Source: OutKick — https://foxnews.com/outkick-sports/sophie-cunningham-gaslighting-female-athletes-naked-sydney-sweeney-ad
- Author: Zach Dean
- Published: 2026-09-18T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sophie cunningham, sydney sweeney, novig, wnba, sports betting, nfl, times square, news, politics
## Who's behind the ad?
Sydney Sweeney created the Novig sports betting ad campaign.

> Sweeney literally came up with the whole thing.
## Why are athletes upset?
Women athletes say the ad sets women's sports back decades.

> Why are girls mad? That is literally what she does.
## Sophie's take
Cunningham says the ad is for men, not women's sports.

> It’s like, screw it, let that girl do her thing.
## Who's the target?
75% of sports bettors are men, according to Sweeney.

> Drew Hanlen said 75% of sports bettors are men.
## What's next?
Cunningham says the ad doesn't affect women's sports.

> This has nothing to do with us.
## Key takeaway

WNBA player Sophie Cunningham says Sydney Sweeney's naked gambling ad doesn't target women's sports but men, so athletes shouldn't be upset.