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Sydney Sweeney's near-nude sports betting ad draws global athlete backlash

theglobeandmail.com [$] — September 15, 2026 at 09:01 PM UTC

Actress Sydney Sweeney faces global backlash from female athletes over a nearly nude advertisement for sports betting app Novig, sparking criticism of women's sexualization in sports and body image representation. The ad, posted Wednesday, shows Sweeney covered only by hands, hair, or sports equipment while promoting betting on "just sports." It has drawn over 48 million Instagram views. Athletes including former NCAA gymnast Gracie Kramer and Canadian high diver Molly Carlson have posted responses highlighting women's athletic achievements instead of appearance. This marks Sweeney's second controversial campaign in two years, following a 2025 American Eagle ad criticized for promoting eugenics. Olympic medalists Sophie Capewell and Ariarne Titmus also condemned the Novig commercial, while Sweeney and Novig have not directly responded to the criticism.

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Sydney Sweeney's near-nude sports betting ad draws global athlete backlash | News Minimalist

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