Sharon Stone tells Sydney Sweeney to 'take responsibility' for provocative sports ad

Sep 27, 2026 - 01:03
Updated: 16 hours ago
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Sharon Stone tells Sydney Sweeney to 'take responsibility' for provocative sports ad

Actress Sydney Sweeney is taking heat from one of her newest co-stars on HBO’s "Euphoria" over her latest ad for sports prediction platform Novig that leaves little to the imagination.

Speaking with People at Variety’s 2026 Power of Women: Los Angeles event Wednesday, Sharon Stone, 68, critiqued Sweeney, 29, over her viral ad for the platform, suggesting the actress needs to "take responsibility" for her actions after the video sparked backlash from female athletes.

"I think that it’s up to her to take responsibility for her actions, not up to me to judge her for her actions. It is up to me to be a cheerleader for the women who have made it through and become champions in women’s sports," Stone told the outlet.

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"We can’t denigrate women’s sports to get men’s attention so they can gamble."

The ad depicts a nearly nude Sweeney posing in various provocative positions while holding sports equipment, and the actress tells viewers the platform lets them bet on "just sports."

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The controversial video struck a chord with Stone, who told the outlet that while in high school, she threatened to sue administrators if she was not permitted to try out for the boys golf team because her school did not have girls sports teams at the time.

"I had something to prove," Stone told People, adding she successfully "made the boys team."

Stone is not the first celebrity to take issue with Sweeney’s willingness to bare it all for the sports prediction platform. Numerous female athletes also took to social media to voice their displeasure with her decision.

"I can’t describe how infuriated I feel when I watch this," Australian Olympic gold medalist swimmer Ariarne Titmus wrote in a post on Instagram. "How do we live in a world where monetizing a woman’s body and sexualizing women’s sport is still a thing?"

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British sprinter Amy Hunt also weighed in on the controversy after finishing in fourth place in the 200 meters at the Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary.

"Sydney Sweeney, this is what women in sport look like," Hunt said. "Muscles, hard work, sweat, blood, tears."

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In response to the widespread backlash, Sweeney shared social media posts featuring nude ESPN magazine images of athletes, including Serena Williams, Ronda Rousey, Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe and Caroline Wozniacki.

WATCH: Billy Bush defends Sydney Sweeney over controversial sports ad campaign

Fox News Digital reached out to Stone and Sweeney for comment.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

The criticism of Sweeney’s steamy ad drew pushback from Newsbusters managing editor Curtis Houck, who told Fox News Digital the outspoken anger over the video could stem from a place of jealousy.

"If you'd listen to Sharon Stone, you'd think Sydney Sweeney committed a serious criminal offense resulting in jail time, not starring in a provocative sports betting ad. Give me a break," Houck said. 

"This entire pile-on against Sweeney comes down to one thing: jealousy. Throw in her refusal to go along to get along with the woke left, and she's persona non grata."

Fox News Digital's Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

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Stone said Sweeney should be accountable for appearing in an ad that uses a sexualized image to promote sports gambling. She argued that women’s sports should not be diminished or used to attract male attention and betting interest.

The ad features Sweeney in revealing poses while holding sports equipment and promoting the platform as a place to bet on sports. Critics objected to the provocative presentation and said it sexualized women’s sports.

Several female athletes publicly condemned the ad on social media. Ariarne Titmus said it was upsetting to see a woman’s body monetized in connection with sports, while Amy Hunt contrasted the ad with the physical reality of women athletes’ training and effort.

Stone recalled that her high school did not offer girls sports teams, so she threatened legal action to be allowed to try out for the boys golf team. She said she wanted to prove herself and ultimately made the team.

According to the article, Sweeney posted nude ESPN magazine photos of well-known athletes such as Serena Williams, Ronda Rousey, Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe, and Caroline Wozniacki. The posts appeared to be her response to the broader backlash surrounding the campaign.

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