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Sydney Sweeney Criticized by Female Athletes as Nude Sports Trading App Ad Sparks Backlash
ign.com Sep 15, 2026

Sydney Sweeney Criticized by Female Athletes as Nude Sports Trading App Ad Sparks Backlash

Curated by · TechCapsules ·

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Sydney Sweeney sparked controversy after appearing nude in promotional videos for sports trading app Novig, using footballs and basketballs to cover her body. The ads, aimed at emphasizing the app’s focus on sports, drew criticism from female athletes, including boxer Skye Nicolson, gymnast Gracie Kramer, water‑polo Olympian Tilly Kearns, and sprinter Amy Hunt, who condemned the portrayal as disrespectful to women in sport. Sweeney responded via Instagram, citing her own sports background, but the backlash has cost her over 200,000 followers.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · The incident underscores how advertising can perpetuate objectification, prompting athletes to demand respectful representation.
  • · It also highlights the growing influence of athlete voices in holding brands accountable for cultural sensitivity.
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