Jason Chaffetz backs Cunningham after ad comments
Sophie Cunningham addressed the backlash over Sydney Sweeney’s Novig sports-betting advertisement on her No Hesitation podcast. She questioned parts of the campaign but defended Sweeney’s right to make her own choices.
FOX News contributor Jason Chaffetz later said he agreed with Cunningham’s points. He also publicly expressed support for Cunningham following her comments.
Cunningham discusses the Sydney Sweeney ad
Cunningham addressed the controversy surrounding Sweeney’s sports-themed Novig advertisement during a September episode of No Hesitation. She said she found aspects of the campaign unusual but argued that Sweeney should be allowed to make her own decisions and pursue commercial opportunities.
Cunningham also questioned why some women were upset about the campaign, noting that it was designed as a gambling advertisement. She distinguished between personally disliking the campaign and believing that Sweeney intended to undermine women competing in sports.
Chaffetz voices support
Jason Chaffetz responded publicly to Cunningham’s comments and said he agreed with the points she had raised about the advertisement. He also said he likes Cunningham and finds himself supporting her despite acknowledging that he does not regularly watch WNBA games.
Chaffetz is a former Republican U.S. representative from Utah who joined FOX News in 2017 as a contributor. FOX’s official biography says he has also served as a guest host on programs including Hannity and Sunday Morning Futures.
His comments focused on Cunningham
Chaffetz said Cunningham’s willingness to express her views was part of why he found himself rooting for her. He also told people who disagreed with the advertisement or Cunningham’s position that they could choose not to watch it.
His remarks were specifically directed toward Cunningham’s response to the Sweeney campaign rather than a formal statement about WNBA policy. The comments came as Cunningham continued receiving attention for opinions and public statements extending beyond her basketball career.
Cunningham did not fully endorse the ad
Cunningham’s position on the Novig campaign was more nuanced than simply supporting the advertisement. She said she personally thought parts of it were strange while also arguing that Sweeney should be able to make her own decisions.
She also said she was not surprised that the campaign attracted attention because of its presentation and intended audience. Cunningham specifically separated her criticism of the advertisement from the idea that the campaign was targeting women’s sports or female athletes.
Interesting fact: Cunningham was a standout high school athlete in Missouri.
The advertisement sparked criticism
Sweeney’s Novig campaign generated criticism from several athletes who objected to the way the advertisement presented a woman’s body alongside sports imagery. British athlete Amy Hunt and Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus were among those who publicly criticized aspects of the campaign.
Cunningham entered that discussion after receiving messages and comments asking her to address the controversy. Her response acknowledged the criticism while maintaining that Sweeney had the right to participate in the commercial campaign and make her own professional decisions.
Cunningham has faced wider scrutiny
The latest discussion follows months of national attention surrounding Cunningham’s comments about transgender participation in women’s sports. In July, she said she wanted to protect young girls and women in sports.
Her remarks were followed by rallies and protests surrounding several Indiana Fever games. The Associated Press reported that Cunningham was booed during games as supporters and opponents demonstrated outside arenas, bringing the controversy into wider public attention around the Fever.
Interesting fact: Cunningham has developed a notable connection with adidas. She switched from Nike to adidas in 2022, and in 2026 adidas created a player-exclusive Crazy Energy colorway associated with her.
The Fever separated team views
The Indiana Fever responded to questions about Cunningham’s comments by emphasizing that players have their own perspectives and voices. The organization said those views belong to individual players and stated that the team remains committed to welcoming fans from every background.
The team also addressed demonstrations connected to Cunningham during a July game in Seattle. The Fever said neither the organization nor Cunningham had knowledge of that demonstration or contact with its organizers, while emphasizing that the team’s focus was winning games.
Cunningham remains focused on basketball
Cunningham has also spoken about the attention directed toward subjects outside basketball. In September, she launched No Hesitation, a podcast with basketball trainer Drew Hanlen that focuses on WNBA and NBA storylines.
The program replaced her previous podcast, Show Me Something, which she had hosted with West Wilson. Wilson had publicly disagreed with Cunningham’s position on transgender athletes, but Cunningham and Wilson did not publicly say that disagreement caused the podcast change.
Her basketball role remains important
Cunningham contributed for the Indiana Fever as a veteran guard during the 2026 regular season. The WNBA lists her as a 7-year veteran who was selected 13th overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2019 draft.
The league’s player profile lists Cunningham at 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game for the season. She also helped Indiana win the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup, scoring 13 points in the championship game.
Her three-point shooting remains notable
Cunningham has continued contributing as a 3-point shooter during the Fever’s 2026 campaign. Indiana and the WNBA have highlighted several games in which she connected from long range during the regular season.
On June 13, Cunningham scored the final 11 points for Indiana during an 85-75 victory over Connecticut. She made 3 3-pointers in the game, helping the Fever improve to 4-1 in Commissioner’s Cup play.
The Fever are approaching the playoffs
Cunningham contributed for the Indiana Fever as a veteran guard during the 2026 regular season. The WNBA lists her as a 7-year veteran who was selected 13th overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2019 draft.
The league’s player profile lists Cunningham at 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game for the season. She also helped Indiana win the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup, scoring 13 points in the championship game.
The internet is also talking about Sophie Cunningham revealing why WNBA jersey swaps are uncommon.
Cunningham’s public profile keeps growing
Cunningham’s comments about Sydney Sweeney’s advertisement drew attention beyond basketball, and FOX News contributor Jason Chaffetz publicly supported her response.
Cunningham remains on the Indiana Fever roster as the team prepares for the WNBA playoffs. Indiana finished the regular season as the No. 6 seed and is scheduled to open its first-round series against the Las Vegas Aces on September 27.
In other news, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese bring contrasting star power to women’s basketball.
What do you think about Sophie Cunningham’s comments and the support she received from Jason Chaffetz? Like this post and comment with your take.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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