Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney is not backing down. After her racy sports betting commercial for Novig sparked outrage among athletes and sports media, the actress has fired back with a pointed social media response.
The ad, released ahead of the 2026 NFL season, quickly went viral — but not all the attention was positive. Critics, including Australian surfer Felicity Palmateer and four-time Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus, slammed the 42-second spot for what they called hypersexualized content that undermines women in sports.
“Just absolute utter disbelief, incredibly disappointing, like, how far you can put women’s sports backwards in the space of a 42-second commercial,” Palmateer told CNN. “It is very damaging, especially for young females getting into sport, for females in sport, for females in general.”
Titmus, who won gold in Tokyo, didn't hold back either. “I can’t describe how infuriated I feel when I watch this,” she wrote via 9News. “Not only is this a kick in the face to every woman who has dedicated her life to perfecting her craft, but every woman who enjoys sports for what it really is — teamwork, friendship, dedication, excellence, unity.”
But Sweeney, known for Euphoria and Anyone But You, isn't taking the criticism lying down. In a series of Instagram posts, she showcased photos of legendary athletes — Serena Williams, Megan Rapinoe, Ronda Rousey — who have posed for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue or the ESPN Body Issue. Her message? If these sports icons can pose in similar fashion, why is she being singled out?
Of course, there's a key difference: those athletes earned their fame through their athletic achievements, while Sweeney is an actress. But the star's point about double standards has ignited a fresh debate about how women's bodies are viewed in sports media.
The backlash also echoes broader tensions in sports culture, where female athletes often face scrutiny over their appearance rather than their performance. Sweeney's defenders argue that women should be free to express themselves, while critics insist that such ads set back the fight for respect.
Meanwhile, the Novig ad continues to generate buzz, and Sweeney's defiant response has only amplified the conversation. Whether this controversy will hurt or help the company's brand remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the actress is not apologizing.
As the 2026 NFL season approaches, this clash between Hollywood glamour and sports authenticity shows no signs of cooling down. For now, Sweeney stands by her choice — and she's not afraid to tell her critics exactly what she thinks.
