*The Chicago Sky has taken a pioneering step to protect its players from online harassment. The team has formed a partnership with Moonshot, a global expert in combating digital threats, becoming the first WNBA franchise to implement such a security-focused collaboration.
Moonshot, originally established by national security professionals to safeguard institutions such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has shifted its focus to addressing online abuse at the individual level. According to The Blast, the company will deploy its advanced threat-monitoring technology and a team of specialists to track and respond to harmful digital activity aimed at the Sky’s roster.
“Hate and harassment have no place in sports,” said Nadia Rawlinson, Co-owner and Operating Chairman of the Chicago Sky. “This partnership gives us tools to protect our athletes from abuse across social media and on the dark web.”
According to Rawlinson, data confirms that female athletes, especially women of color and LGBTQIA+ individuals, are disproportionately affected by digital harassment. “Unfortunately, these incidents are increasing commensurately with the growth in women’s sports, sports betting, and use of artificial intelligence,” she added.
Moonshot’s CEO, Vidhya Ramalingam, said, “We are honored to support the Chicago Sky in this strategic and pioneering effort to protect their players and coaches. Our work is grounded in a decade of national security experience, understanding the origins of online abuse and what to do about it.”
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The WNBA has embraced this anti-bullying effort on a broader scale. League Commissioner Cathy Engelbert recently introduced the “No Space for Hate” initiative, aimed at preserving both the integrity and the inclusiveness of the game. “We want our arenas, and our social platforms filled with energy and fandom — not hate and vitriol,” Engelbert said.
“That means turning our values into action: strengthening digital and physical security, expanding access to mental health resources, and unifying our message across the league,” she added.
The announcement of the Moonshot partnership comes shortly after Angel Reese, one of the league’s breakout stars, launched her “MeBounds” merchandise collection. Initially intended as an insult, mocking Reese for rebounding her own missed shots, the phrase has been flipped by the athlete into a viral branding moment.
“Whoever came up with the MeBounds thing, y’all ate that up because MeBounds, rebounds… anything that comes off that board, it’s mine. It’s mine. And a brand? That’s six figures right there,” Reese said in a TikTok video.
Proceeds from the line, which includes apparel and accessories, will support the Angel C. Reese Foundation. The organization is committed to creating safe online spaces and raising awareness around cyberbullying, especially for young women and girls.
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