‘Threats And Abuse’: Chicago Sky Partnering With Online Monitoring Service Amid Angel Reese Hate

On Tuesday, Chicago announced that they are partnering with Moonshot to help curb threats against the team online. Per a press release by Moonshot, the Sky became the first WNBA team to use the technology.

“Moonshot’s goal is not just to understand the problem, but to solve it,” the press release states. “Moonshot’s dedicated team of online security experts will use advanced technology to identify and remove concerning content, assess credible risks, take actions to mitigate harm, and help the Sky interpret the underlying drivers of online abuse.”

The partnership can help players like Angel Reese focus on basketball

Co-owner and operating chairman of the Sky, Nasia Rawlinson, said the goal in the partnership with Moonshot is to make it so their athletes and coaches can focus on basketball and not on abuse on online.

“The data is abundantly clear. Female athletes, especially women of color and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, face disproportionate amounts of online harassment, abuse, and threats of violence,” Rawlinson said. “Unfortunately, these incidents are increasing commensurately with the growth in women’s sports, sports betting, and use of artificial intelligence.”

Per a study conducted by Moonshot, 92% of women in public life face abuse online, and 31% of that content is sexual. Given that the Sky are comprised of female athletes, Moonshot can help keep Reese and other athletes from being targeted.