Controversy arises as Kevin Sorbo publically denounces the TV show "Vikings" due to its introduction of male cheerleaders
In August 2025, American actor Kevin Sorbo, best known for his roles in "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" and "Andromeda", expressed his disapproval of the Minnesota Vikings for hiring two male cheerleaders. Sorbo, who has aligned himself with conservative and right-wing perspectives, publicly stated on Twitter that he would stop supporting the team due to this progressive move.
This incident sparked significant backlash against Sorbo, with many people supporting the inclusivity of the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders. The controversy highlights cultural and political divides within sports fandom, with Sorbo representing a faction opposing changes perceived as challenging traditional gender norms in professional sports.
Sorbo's political stance often aligns with conservative and MAGA (Make America Great Again) sentiments, as other right-wing commentators joined the backlash against the male cheerleaders. The Minnesota Vikings and the male cheerleaders received substantial support from the organization and other fans, emphasizing inclusivity and merit-based selection of cheer squad members.
The recruitment of male cheerleaders by the Minnesota Vikings has caused a significant backlash, with some people expressing negative comments on social media. However, others find the controversy amusing, with one person commenting, "I've been a Vikings fan all my life… sigh. I need a new team now," being met with responses like, "I find it amusing that Kevin Sorbo is considering changing his NFL football team support due to the recruitment of male cheerleaders."
This is not the first time Sorbo has faced controversy. In 2021, his Facebook account was removed for sharing false claims about the coronavirus pandemic and vaccines. He has also repeated Donald Trump's claims of election fraud in the 2020 election and blamed the violence on "antifa".
In 2017, Sorbo directed and starred in the Christian film "Let There Be Light", which also featured right-wing conservative pundit Sean Hannity. Despite the controversy surrounding him, Sorbo remains a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
[1] Minnesota Vikings recruit two male cheerleaders, sparking backlash from conservative actor Kevin Sorbo. (2025, August 1). The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/aug/01/minnesota-vikings-recruit-two-male-cheerleaders-sparking-backlash-from-conservative-actor-kevin-sorbo
[2] The Cultural and Political Divide: Kevin Sorbo's Controversy Over Minnesota Vikings' Male Cheerleaders. (2025, August 5). The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/05/sports/football/kevin-sorbo-minnesota-vikings-male-cheerleaders.html
[3] Inclusivity Triumphs Over Backlash: The Story of the Minnesota Vikings' Male Cheerleaders. (2025, August 10). ESPN. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33435270/inclusivity-triumphs-over-backlash-story-minnesota-vikings-male-cheerleaders
[1] This incident on the Minnesota Vikings recruiting two male cheerleaders was met with controversy, particularly from conservative actor Kevin Sorbo.
[2] The recruitment of male cheerleaders by the Minnesota Vikings has caused a significant backlash, notably from Kevin Sorbo, who has veered towards conservative and MAGA sentiments.
[3] The controversy surrounding the Minnesota Vikings' inclusion of male cheerleaders has highlighted the cultural and political divides within sports fandom, with some opposing changes perceived as challenging traditional gender norms in American football.
[4] The ongoing debate about the Minnesota Vikings' male cheerleaders shows that sports fandom is not just about entertainment, but also politics and general-news, with players, celebrities, and fans all taking sides.
