Sydney Sweeney's Nude Betting Ad Sparks Feminist Hypocrisy Debate
Intra-Party Split Detected
Most right-leaning outlets and commentators (Federalist, Daily Wire, RedState, Cunningham) defend Sweeney's ad and mock the backlash as feminist hypocrisy, but Cunningham herself voices a partial dissent by calling the ad 'morally weird' and 'inauthentic,' showing some internal ambivalence even among sympathetic voices.
Left says
- •The ad has nothing to do with women's sports; Sweeney is not an athlete and never claims to represent one, so criticism should focus on what the ad actually does rather than what it symbolizes.
- •The real objection is that the ad sexualizes Sweeney herself for a male-dominated betting audience, using her body to sell a product, not that women are portrayed as athletes.
- •There's a fair critique of selective outrage on all sides: some feminists who defend sex work and OnlyFans as empowering are now uncomfortable with this ad, which invites a closer look at what actually constitutes exploitation versus choice.
- •Female athletes voicing discomfort are not being hypocritical for wanting their accomplishments seen separately from a soft-core betting commercial that trades on titillation rather than athletic achievement.
Right says
- •Sweeney willingly drove the ad's concept and visuals herself, according to the Novig CEO, undercutting claims that she was exploited or coerced.
- •Athletes criticizing the ad as harmful to women's sports are being called out as hypocritical, especially those who have posted similarly revealing content promoting themselves.
- •The ad is explicitly a gambling promotion aimed at a majority-male audience and was never intended to represent or comment on female athletes, so treating it as an attack on women's sports misreads its purpose.
- •The backlash reveals a double standard: content celebrated as empowering when tied to progressive causes suddenly becomes objectifying when the woman involved is perceived as conservative or apolitical.
Common Take
- The Novig ad was designed to draw attention and drive engagement with a majority-male sports betting audience.
- Novig's CEO stated the company never intended the ad to represent or comment on women's sports.
- Sweeney has a pattern of provocative marketing campaigns, including her American Eagle jeans ad and Dr. Squatch promotions.
- Multiple female athletes publicly objected to the ad, prompting a broader debate over its impact on how women in sports are perceived.
The Arguments
Left argues
The ad sexualizes Sweeney herself for a majority-male betting audience, using her body to sell a product—this is a legitimate feminist critique of commodification, separate from any claim about women's sports.
Right counters
Sweeney reportedly drove the concept and visuals herself according to Novig's CEO, meaning this was a willing business choice by an equity holder, not exploitation being done to her.
Right argues
The ad was never intended to portray or comment on female athletes—it's a gambling promotion aimed at bettors—so treating it as an attack on women's sports misreads its actual purpose and target audience.
Left counters
Even granting that the ad isn't 'about' women's sports, female athletes are still entitled to object that soft-core imagery trading on titillation gets conflated with or overshadows their athletic accomplishments in public conversation.
Right argues
Many athletes criticizing the ad have posted similarly revealing content promoting themselves, which raises a fair question about consistency: if self-sexualization is fine for personal branding, why is it suddenly harmful when done by someone else for a betting app?
Left counters
Pointing to individual athletes' past posts doesn't resolve the broader question of what constitutes empowerment versus exploitation in a specific commercial context—people can reasonably draw lines differently in different situations without being hypocrites.
Left argues
There is a fair internal critique that some feminists who champion OnlyFans and sex work as empowering are suddenly uncomfortable with this ad, suggesting the objection may be more about who Sweeney is perceived to be politically than about principle.
Right counters
That inconsistency, if real, is a criticism of specific commentators rather than a refutation of the underlying point that soft-core advertising can still be legitimately criticized as objectifying regardless of the model's politics.
Right argues
The backlash reveals a double standard where content is celebrated as empowering when tied to progressive causes or figures but condemned as objectifying when the woman involved is seen as conservative or apolitical.
Left counters
Even if some critics are inconsistent, that doesn't mean the ad is beyond critique—it's possible to hold that both the double standard and the ad's exploitative marketing logic are real problems simultaneously.
Challenge Questions
These questions target genuine internal contradictions — meant to provoke honest reflection.
Right asks Left
“If the objection is genuinely about commodification and objectification rather than politics, why do many of the same voices defend OnlyFans, stripping, and sex work as empowering choices when performed by other women?”
Left asks Right
“If Sweeney's willing participation and business ownership stake fully answer concerns about exploitation, does that same logic extend to defend other commercial sexualization of women that conservatives typically criticize, or does willingness only excuse it in this case?”
Outlier Report
Left Fringe
Radical feminist commentators and some women's sports advocates (e.g., certain WNBA-adjacent commentators and Jezebel-style writers) who frame the ad as a direct symbolic attack on female athletes' dignity represent maybe 15-20% of the left, with most left-leaning commentary (e.g., Slate's piece) actually taking a more nuanced 'it's not about sports, it's about sexualization' stance rather than the more extreme 'this sets women back' framing.
Right Fringe
Figures like those at The Federalist pushing the 'naked hypocrisy of feminists' angle as a broader culture-war attack, and commentators fixating on Sweeney's perceived MAGA/conservative identity as the real reason for backlash, represent a vocal but narrower slice (~20-25%) of the right; most on the right likely just see this as a non-issue rather than a proof point in broader culture war.
Noise Assessment
High — this is a classic manufactured/performative outrage cycle amplified by athletes, podcasters, and partisan outlets on social media, with most ordinary Americans likely indifferent or only mildly engaged compared to the intensity of online discourse.
Sources (7)
<img src="https://www.theblaze.com/media-library/sophie-cunningham-defends-sydney-sweeney-but-admits-she-morally-has-a-problem.png?id=67793550&width=1245&height=700&coordinates=0%2C0%2C1%2C0" /><br /><br /><p>Sophie Cunningham is comfortable saying she doesn't know Sydney Sweeney, but she does understand her.</p><p>Sweeney has faced backlash for a recent "gambling" ad, enduring seemingly unending criticism from female athletes across the globe, but Cunningham has one simple question: "Why are girls mad?"</p><p class="pull-quote">'It's just so unauthentic.'</p><p>Cunningham said her phone blew up with people looking for her take on Sweeney's recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp0T184hVY0" target="_blank">ad</a> for Novig that had the actress posing nude, save for conveniently placed sports equipment covering her private areas.</p><p>The ad was immediately characterized as a black eye for women in sports by female athletes who said it was not how they want to be portrayed. Although many athletes were put on blast as <a href="https://www.theblaze.com/lifestyle/sydney-sweeney-nude-ad-reactions" target="_blank">hypocrites</a> after being reminded of their own questionable (and self-promoted) content, Cunningham seemingly saw both sides of the matter.</p><p>On "No Hesitation with Sophie Cunningham & Drew Hanlen" earlier this week, the WNBA star <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpAmm4ploro" target="_blank">started</a> with the hilarious question: Does Sweeney "even gamble on sports?"</p><p>"It's just so unauthentic," Cunningham continued. "You know what I mean? Like, am I surprised of how she represented the brand? No."</p><p>The basketball player then started a back-and-forth of insult followed by praise.</p><p>"That's what she's made her whole career off is. And hey, don't get me wrong, I like her. Everyone knows she is beautiful. She is hot. She clearly has my chest," Cunningham joked.</p><p>Then the 30-year-old offered Sweeney "props" but admitted she did not like the ad.</p><p>"I think it's like, I mean, like, what? Like, what are we doing? But again, I'm not surprised."</p><p>Cunningham wasn't done though, and she put the complaining athletes into her crosshairs, asking them what it is they are getting so upset about:</p><p>"But why are girls mad?"</p><p><strong>RELATED: <a href="https://www.theblaze.com/fearless/travis-kelce-illegal-ponzi-scheme" target="_blank">Travis Kelce duped by Indian illegal immigrant in massive Ponzi scheme</a></strong></p> <p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube"> <span class="rm-shortcode" style="display: block; padding-top: 56.25%;"></span> </p> <p>"That is literally what she does," Cunningham went on. "Why is anyone mad?"</p><p>Then things went back the other way for a moment, with the baller saying, "Again, do I agree with it? Uh, morally, I think it's kind of weird, but, like, to each their own. Go do your thing, sis."</p><p>But then Cunningham pushed back in the other direction again and praised women for standing up for themselves and being proud of their tall bodies, "broad shoulders," and thighs that touch.</p><p><span></span>While the athlete explained that she certainly understands how Sweeney's ad could "deflate women" and overshadow their accomplishments, she finally settled on her previously discussed idea that even despite her moral disagreements with it, "Let that girl go do her thing."</p><p><strong>RELATED: <a href="https://www.theblaze.com/fearless/charles-barkley-wnba-trans-race" target="_blank">Charles Barkley defends WNBA, but says 'race' and 'sexuality' are behind Sophie Cunningham clashes</a></strong></p> <p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"> <img alt="" class="rm-shortcode" id="ee9d3" src="https://www.theblaze.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=67793501&width=980" /> <small class="image-media media-photo-credit">Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images</small></p> <p>Co-host Hanlen took on more of a believe-all-women mentality, approaching the topic as being not "black and white," and thus impossible to truly take sides.</p><p>"They knew that they were going to spike up a lot of traffic from women being disappointed with the ad and putting her down," Hanlen said about Novig. </p><p>Hanlen's feminist approach concluded with him saying that criticisms should be replaced by "celebrating women in sport" and giving confidence to "student athletes that don't feel like they fit in."</p><p><em>Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. </em><em><a href="https://www.theblaze.com/newsletters/theblaze-articlelink" target="_self">Sign up here</a></em><em>!</em></p>
<img src="https://www.theblaze.com/media-library/charles-barkley-defends-wnba-but-says-race-and-sexuality-are-behind-sophie-cunningham-clashes.png?id=67788193&width=1245&height=700&coordinates=0%2C0%2C1%2C0" /><br /><br /><p>Charles Barkley says that "there's something going on with those women" in the WNBA.</p><p>The Hall of Fame player believes he has the answer as to why there is so much tension built up between the league's players, and race is definitely a factor.</p><p class="pull-quote">'She said, "No, I'm protecting girls. No, no transvestites in the [W]NBA."'</p><p>Barkley compared conflicts in today's WNBA with the rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson in the 1980s, but he said that while some may have spotted "racial undertones" when those two went head-to-head, "there was always respect."</p><p>The same can't be said for WNBA players like DiJonai Carrington, Barkley said. </p><p>Barkley called it "stupid on her part" when Carrington made an X post that simply said, "<a href="https://www.theblaze.com/fearless/carrington-cunningham-foul-eject-racism" target="_blank">White privilege</a>," after a hard foul on WNBA star Sophie Cunningham got her penalized.</p><p>"That was a 100% mistake. It was a dirty play. Period," the former Phoenix Suns forward stated.</p><p>When it comes to Cunningham and her Indiana Fever teammate, perennial star Caitlin Clark, Barkley said plainly that the other WNBA players simply have a problem with them.</p><p>"Those girls do not like Caitlin Clark or Sophie Cunningham," Barkley <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwaUGWHobHE" target="_blank">told</a> Michael Smerconish in an overlooked interview from late August.</p><p>"Whether it's race, sexuality, or whatever, there's something going on there. Because most of the time when you see something, it has something to do with Caitlin or Sophie. I think those other women in the WNBA don't like them," the 63-year-old went on.</p><p>"I think it has something to do with sexuality, race, and jealousy," he concluded.</p><p><strong>RELATED: <a href="https://www.theblaze.com/fearless/travis-kelce-illegal-ponzi-scheme?tpcc=email-breaking" target="_blank">Travis Kelce duped by Indian illegal immigrant in massive Ponzi scheme</a></strong></p> <p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube"> <span class="rm-shortcode" style="display: block; padding-top: 56.25%;"></span> </p> <p>When probed, Barkley was consistent in that he felt all three attributes contributed to a strong disdain for Cunningham and Clark, but he said he didn't know how to "break up the percentages" between the issues.</p><p>"T<span style="background-color: initial;">here's something going on with those </span><span style="background-color: initial;">women. Period. ... They're either jealous [or it's] sexuality or r</span><span style="background-color: initial;">ace."</span></p><p><span style="background-color: initial;">While at times Smerconish tried to lead Barkley away from the apparent harsh truths, the former player refused to pull any punches with the WNBA, which he admitted to being a fan of.</span></p><h2>Transgender controversy</h2><p><span style="background-color: initial;">Barkley's respect for the league did not stop him from vehemently stating that he thinks it should be for women only. Even after he said that he respects the gay and transgender communities, Barkley stated that no man, regardless of how much surgery he has, should be welcomed into the league.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: initial;">Barkley also placed blame on the WNBA itself for not immediately shutting down the notion that a transgender athlete — a male — could play against the female ballers.</span></p><p><strong>RELATED: <a href="https://www.theblaze.com/fearless/jon-gruden-nfl-international-game" target="_blank">Coach Jon Gruden screams at fan in must-see pro-America rant over NFL's international schedule</a></strong></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"> <img alt="" class="rm-shortcode" id="75244" src="https://www.theblaze.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=67788182&width=980" /> <small class="image-media media-photo-credit">Tara Walton/Getty Images</small></p> <p>"Under no circumstances do I think men should play against women," Barkley said. </p><p>"I can't believe people got mad at [Cunningham] for telling the truth. She said, 'No, I'm protecting girls. No, no transvestites in the [W]NBA.'"</p><p>The timing of Barkley's interview allowed for several other of his predictions to marinate, particularly his claim that the negative press has not garnered positive results for the WNBA:</p><p>"They're not having a great year," he stated.</p><p>In that vein, Barkley further suggested that no one would be talking about the WNBA when the NFL season starts, which is now heading into its second week.</p><p>Barkley piled onto that claim by asking, "When's the last time you heard something positive about the WNBA? I can't even remember."</p><p><em>Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. </em><em><a href="https://www.theblaze.com/newsletters/theblaze-articlelink" target="_self">Sign up here</a></em><em>!</em></p>
WNBA player Sophie Cunningham is once again saying what other athletes won’t. This time, she’s addressing the female outrage toward actress Sydney Sweeney’s risqué sports gambling ad for the company Novig. “Why are girls mad?” Cunningham asked on her podcast “No Hesitation” on Thursday. Multiple female athletes, from amateurs to Olympians, denounced Sweeney’s naked performance ...
If only for as long as the latest non-controversy lasts. <img src="https://i0.wp.com/www.nationalreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/sydney-sweeney.jpg?fit=617%2C360&ssl=1" />
The controversial ad has nothing to do with women in sports.
<img alt="hot celebrity in red dress" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" src="https://thefederalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-17-at-9.20.56-PM-1200x675.png" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;" />The media storm surrounding a raunchy sports betting ad reveals selective outrage and deep ideological hypocrisy.