Chicago Sky, in partnership with advertising agencies BarkleyOKRP and Putney, is taking a bold step forward with its “Block the Negativity, Post Up Positivity” initiative aimed at combating online harm and supporting the mental health of WNBA players.
This effective campaign introduces an innovative app designed to filter out negative social media comments that adversely affect players’ mental well-being.
Developed as part of the team’s three-year mental health initiative, the app utilizes advanced AI technology to detect and block harmful posts from players’ feeds. Set to be available to Chicago Sky players this week and to the general public later in the year, the app represents a significant move towards creating a safer online environment for athletes.
The initiative was driven by the disturbing statistic that a majority of female athletes have faced some form of online abuse. Tania Haladner, CMO of the Chicago Sky, emphasized the importance of the campaign, stating, “The mental health of female athletes is heavily affected by social media comments, and with more eyes on the WNBA, it’s only gotten more challenging.”
The campaign features Chicago Sky players Angel Reese, Chennedy Carter, Isabelle Harrison, and Brianna Turner, who are depicted on the basketball court, breaking through physical representations of mean and harmful comments. Chicago Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon also appears, underscoring her support for her players and the campaign. Watch below:
Beyond the app, the campaign encourages fans to actively engage in posting positive messages to help create a more supportive online community for female athletes. This call to action is visualized through various campaign elements including online videos, social posts, in-arena activations, and even merchandise like headbands featuring positive affirmations from the players themselves.
The official launch was marked by a premier event at a Chicago Sky home game on August 15, accompanied by a panel discussion addressing the impact of social media on female athletes’ mental health. The panel featured notable personalities such as Sheryl Swoopes, former WNBA legend; Dr. Ndidi Onyejiaka (Dr. O), Chicago Sky’s Team Psychiatrist; and Cari Roccaro of the Chicago Red Stars, moderated by Lily Rocha from NAMI Chicago.
This campaign not only highlights the ongoing efforts by Chicago Sky to protect and uplift their players but also sets a precedent for how sports teams can leverage technology to combat online bullying and promote mental health.
With the support of the Angel C. Reese Foundation and Mesirow Financial, Chicago Sky continues to lead by example, showing that mental health care requires collective effort and innovative solutions.
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