Actress Sydney Sweeney Faces Backlash Over Sports Betting Advertisement
Sydney Sweeney's recent promotion for a U.S. sports betting platform has sparked criticism from female athletes, while a Guardian columnist argues the reaction is disproportionate.
Actress Sydney Sweeney appeared in a television advertisement for a U.S. sports-prediction market that features her nude, holding two American footballs over her chest. The commercial has drawn criticism from several women athletes, who described it as demeaning to women's sport and a "kick in the face" to athletes who dedicate their lives to competition.
In a column for the Guardian, Marina Hyde questioned the intensity of the response, noting that the ad is part of a broader trend of celebrity endorsements and suggesting that the focus should be on the gambling aspect rather than the actress herself. She wrote that the growth of women's sport "feels a whole lot bigger and stronger" than any single advertisement.
"This entire industry, all people say is ‘women empowering other women’. None of it’s happening. All of it is fake and a front for all the other shit that they say behind everyone’s back," Sweeney said in a previous interview, reflecting her frustration with perceived hypocrisy in Hollywood.
Hyde also referenced past controversies involving Sweeney, including a previous clothing ad that was mistakenly linked to extremist ideologies, and noted that the actress has repeatedly become a target in culture-war debates.
The columnist concluded that while the ad may be provocative, the broader issues surrounding sports betting and gender representation merit more measured discussion.