The Chicago Sky’s attempt to promote mental health awareness and inclusivity within the WNBA backfired this week when a social media campaign featuring rookie star Angel Reese was met with a torrent of racist and homophobic abuse.
The team’s post on X (formerly Twitter) was part of its ongoing “No Space for Hate” initiative—an extension of its “Post Up Positivity, Block the Negativity” campaign.
The message highlighted the organization’s commitment to protecting the mental health of players while fostering inclusive spaces both in arenas and online.
But instead of fostering solidarity, the campaign attracted hate.
“This is about more than basketball,” the team’s original post read. “It’s about ensuring our athletes are safe, respected, and supported.”
Angel Reese Targeted Yet Again
While the Sky’s intent was to stand against online abuse, the post’s inclusion of Angel Reese’s photo appeared to fan the flames of long-running vitriol directed at the 22-year-old forward. Hateful replies—many of them racist and homophobic in nature—quickly flooded the thread, prompting X to flag the post for limited visibility.
In an effort to control the narrative, the Sky restricted replies to verified accounts or those tagged in the post. But for many fans and social commentators, the damage had already been done.
Reese, who rose to national prominence during the 2023 NCAA championship, has frequently found herself at the center of online hostility—often rooted in racism, misogyny, and double standards applied to women, particularly Black women in sports.
The WNBA’s Growing Spotlight Brings New Challenges
The incident underscores an uncomfortable reality: as the WNBA’s profile rises, so too does the intensity of scrutiny and abuse its players face.
With stars like Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, and Paige Bueckers driving record attendance and boosting ticket sales, the league’s cultural and economic relevance has never been greater. But that spotlight has a dark side—social media vitriol that directly impacts player well-being.
Mental health initiatives like “No Space for Hate” are part of a broader league-wide push to combat toxicity, but this week’s events reveal just how far there is to go.
Sky Reaffirms Commitment to Inclusivity
Despite the backlash, the Chicago Sky doubled down on their message:
“We will continue to block hate and stand up for our players,” the team stated in follow-up posts. “Our commitment to mental health and creating safe spaces—online and offline—remains unwavering.”
The league’s efforts to protect athletes from online abuse now appear more urgent than ever.
As fans flock to games and tune in by the millions, teams like the Sky are realizing that their role as protectors of player wellness extends well beyond the court.
