~ Will leverage advanced technology typically deployed in national security and defense ~
CHICAGO, July 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the WNBA’s Chicago Sky announced an innovative partnership with Moonshot, a global leader in countering online threats, to leverage national security technology to keep the team’s full roster safe. As the first team in the league to deploy this type of technology, the Chicago Sky is setting the standard for how sports organizations can proactively address online hate, harassment, and abuse targeting athletes.
Moonshot’s goal is not just to understand the problem, but to solve it. 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.
“Hate and harassment have no place in sports,” said Nadia Rawlinson, Co-owner and Operating Chairman of the Chicago Sky. “Our partnership with Moonshot is about proactively tackling online hate, harassment, and abuse across social media and on the dark web, so our players and coaches can focus on the game of basketball and delighting our fans around the world.”
Chicago Sky players are leaders and role models on and off the court, a position which also places them at increased risk. The Sky’s decisive action to implement this solution reflects the organization’s long-standing commitment to player health and safety, including mental health and well-being.
“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,” continued Rawlinson. “Unfortunately, these incidents are increasing commensurately with the growth in women’s sports, sports betting, and use of artificial intelligence.”
The Chicago Sky-Moonshot partnership comes at a critical time when online threats against athletes and public figures across all industries are rising. For example, according to Moonshot’s findings, 92% of women in public life experience abuse online and 31% of this harassment is sexual in nature.
“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,” said Vidhya Ramalingam, CEO of Moonshot. We are grateful for the opportunity to leverage our technology and expertise to advance player safety at a time when interest in women’s sports is at an all-time high. We hope this unique, first-of-its-kind partnership will serve as a model for other sports teams and leagues.”
About The Chicago Sky
The Chicago Sky is a professional women’s basketball team and proud member of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Founded in 2005, the Chicago Sky was the first independently owned women’s professional basketball team to join the WNBA. The Sky represents the heart, hustle, and resilience of Chicago on and off the court. The team made history in 2021 by capturing its first WNBA Championship. Committed to excellence in competition and impact in the community, the Sky is dedicated to empowering women and girls through sport, leadership, and advocacy. The team plays its home games at Wintrust Arena in Chicago’s South Loop. For more information, visit https://sky.wnba.com or @ChicagoSky on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
About Moonshot
Moonshot is the premier provider of global services to end online abuse and violence. Founded by national security professionals, Moonshot leverages technology developed initially to keep nations safe on behalf of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, Department of State, and governments around the world. They use this same technology to keep athletes and entertainers safe from targeted threats online—ensuring they can perform on the global stage without fearing for their safety. Moonshot partners with leagues and conferences – from the Southeastern Conference to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, protecting all Team USA athletes during the Summer and Winter Olympics. Their partnership with the Chicago Sky is the first of its kind with a WNBA team. Moonshot is a longstanding safety partner of Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify, and has twice been named to Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies. They operate in over 60 countries and have offices in Washington, D.C., London, Toronto, and Dublin.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Tania Haladner
media@chicagosky.com
312-828-9550
Hannah Orenstein
moonshot@ssmandl.com
610-984-2061
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SOURCE Chicago Sky
