A new AI tool protects the Chicago Sky forward from online negativity.
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Angel Reese is no stranger to online hate, and now she’s leading the charge to block it for good. With women’s sports booming, the surge in online harassment has also grown, targeting female athletes with ruthless comments.
According to a report by The Net, a mental health network for women in sports, a staggering 87% of female athletes have experienced online abuse in the past year. But Reese and the Chicago Sky are spearheading a groundbreaking solution to tackle this.
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In a powerful new campaign, Reese joins forces with The Net and agency BarkleyOKRP to unveil a cutting-edge AI tool that blocks toxic comments on social media.
The initiative, dubbed “Block the Negativity, Post Up Positivity,” is currently in beta testing with the Chicago Sky players and aims to shield athletes from harmful content on their X (formerly Twitter) feeds.
At the forefront of this revolutionary effort is Angel Reese herself, who knows the impact of online abuse firsthand. From her college days at LSU to her debut season with the Chicago Sky, Reese has faced an onslaught of racist and misogynistic comments.
The eloquent message against cyber-bullying
In the campaign’s video, Reese and her teammates-including Chennedy Carter, Isabelle Harrison, and Brianna Turner-are seen smashing hateful messages on and off the court, symbolizing their fight against cyber-bullying.
“Our developers were shocked at the level of hate that Angel receives,” said Rony Castor, BarkleyOKRP’s group creative director. “It’s alarming and heartbreaking.”
The AI tool automatically detects harmful comments and blurs them out, displaying the message, “Negativity Blocked.” It allows players to stay focused on their game, mentally and emotionally, without the constant barrage of negativity.
The initiative is already gaining traction, with Reese’s fellow players and Chicago Sky head coach Theresa Weatherspoon cheering her on. The WNBA’s rising popularity, with tripled viewership this season, has brought both support and hate.
The league recognized the need to protect its players’ mental health and invested in this AI tool to combat the growing issue of cyber-bullying. “As more eyes are on the WNBA, the harassment has only intensified,” said Tania Haladner, CMO of the Chicago Sky.
The Net’s website features real-time updates, showing the number of harmful posts the AI tool has blocked. Underneath the blurred-out negativity, the site displays positive comments about the team, reminding players and fans alike to focus on fostering a supportive environment.
For now, the tool only works on X and targets posts about the Chicago Sky. But the plan is to expand its capabilities, aiming to protect athletes across the WNBA and beyond. “We want this to be something that not only shields players but also promotes positivity,” said Michelle Robles, creative director at BarkleyOKRP.
Angel Reese’s push to block online hate is already creating waves, and as the campaign gains momentum, the hope is that this AI tool will soon become a league-wide standard-making the internet a safer place for female athletes everywhere.
