Chicago Sky Partners & Moonshot to Combat Online Abuse in Sports
WNBA’s Chicago Sky has announced a unique partnership with Moonshot a global leader in countering online threats to protect its players and coaches from hate harassment and abuse. This is the first time any WNBA team has deployed national security grade technology for digital safety making it a major step in athlete protection.
The team’s leadership said this partnership is about being proactive not reactive. “Hate and harassment have no place in sports” said Nadia Rawlinson co-owner and operating chairman of the Chicago Sky. “We want our players to focus on the game not worry about threats on the internet.”
Moonshot has a background in protecting government and global institutions from online harm. Now their team will use advanced tools to scan and monitor social media and dark web platforms. They will flag remove and respond to potential threats assess risks and share insights with the Sky organization. This means players are safer and more informed about what’s happening online.
Data from Moonshot shows that 92 percent of women in public roles face online abuse and 31 percent of it is sexual in nature. For female athletes especially women of color and LGBTQIA+ players the risks are even higher. The Sky’s move comes at a time when women’s sports are gaining more visibility which unfortunately also increases the amount of hate they receive online.
Vidhya Ramalingam, CEO of Moonshot, echoed the sentiment: “We are proud to support Chicago Sky in this strategic and deeply important initiative. Our mission is not just to understand abuse but to stop it. What we’re doing here is taking lessons from national security and applying them in sports where we need it now more than ever.”
This collaboration isn’t just reactive it’s a model for the future. With the popularity of women’s basketball surging and players emerging as high-profile public figures, ensuring their safety is no longer optional, it’s a necessity.
The partnership will also help the Sky understand patterns of online behavior and take early actions before threats grow. It aligns with the team’s values of mental health community impact and leadership. The Sky has already been a strong voice for women’s empowerment and now they’re expanding that mission to the digital space.
Leaders from both organizations hope this partnership becomes a model for others in the sports industry. As Moonshot applies its decade long experience in national security to the world of professional sports the message is clear protecting players is no longer optional it is necessary.
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