Angel Reese has put herself into a social media frenzy. She has been in the media for a while now expressing more pay and better benefits for WNBA players, now she’s back in the social media spotlight for something she didn’t say. Everyone speculates on what they think.
“We should be getting paid like NBA players,” the fake quote read.
The quote refers to the controversial discrepancy between NBA and WNBA salaries, with a minimum salary in the men’s league starting at $1.1 million compared to just $64,000 for the women.
The fake quote caption, posted on X, read, “Angel Reese thinks WNBA players should be getting paid like NBA players. Thoughts?”
Hundreds of fans quickly flocked to the comments to reply to a comment the WNBA star did not say.
“Can’t until they stop being subsidized by the NBA Players,” one fan wrote.
“If more people watched and they had more teams, maybe. The WNBA needs to market themselves better to be taken seriously and seen as competition,” another fan posted.
However, others fans quickly interjected, shutting down the debate by pointing out it was a fabricated quote.
“Angel Reese NEVER said this…STOP LYING!!!” the fan posted.
“She literally never said this,” added another.
“Fake quote,” a third said.
Although Resse denies saying it, she has never shied away from talking about her WNBA salary. Last year Reese revealed her $73,439 annual salary from the WNBA Chicago Sky. Also, Caitlin Clark’s agent slammed the league claiming players like Clark and other WNBA stars need to be paid more.
“I just hope you know the WNBA don’t pay my bills at all. I don’t even think that pays one of my bills,” Reese said on Instagram.
“Literally, I’m trying to think of my rent for where I stay at. I’m gonna do the math real quick. I don’t even know my salary.
“Yo, I’m living beyond my means! No, my rent is more than that. It’s $8,000. I’m living beyond my means.”
Caitlin Clark’s agent Erin Kane recently slammed the league and claimed that players like Clark and other WNBA stars need to be paid more.
“Will Caitlin Clark ever be paid by the WNBA what she’s really worth to that league? I don’t think that’s possible,” said Kane.
“She’s part of a larger player body. They all need to be paid more. She should be recognized for what she has done and what she’s brought to the league from an economic standpoint. It’s as simple as that.”
Star Power, Low Pay: Angel Reese’s WNBA Contract Questioned
Angel Reese is still on her rookie deal, which would pay her the max of $93,636 if the Chicago Sky picks up her option, which they would be dumb not to. Angel has also netted close to $2 million in endorsement deals. She has signed lucrative deals with McDonald’s, Hershey, Amazon, Beats by Dre, Playstation, and Cash App.
In addition to her WNBA career, she competes for Rose BC in Unrivaled, a professional 3-on-3 women’s basketball league held in Miami during the offseason. The average player salary in Unrivaled’s inaugural season is over $200,000. The league boasts a $8 million salary pool and players also split a 15 percent revenue pot.
Reese is playing well for the Rose BC posted her fifth double-double in 12 games. She most certainly will get paid in her next contract and should attract even more companies for endorsements. Will it be on par with NBA players? That remains to be seen.
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
WNBA on the Line: Reese & Players Fight for Critical CBA Overhaul
With the players opting out of its current collective bargaining agreement, the players citing to break free from the current system to demand full transparency and an equitable stake in the league, they will have to work on a new one before the 2026 season begins, with the current one set to expire after this season. Here are some of the discussions and items that will be on the table in the new CBA.
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SalaryThe union wants improved salaries, including base salary, bonuses, and prize pools.Unlike their counterparts in the NBA, where players split the revenue with their franchises 50-50, players in the WNBA receive on average about 10% of their team’s revenue.e
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BenefitsThe union wants improved retirement benefits, child care, and family planning benefits.
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TransparencyThe union wants full transparency and an equitable stake in the league’s business.
The WNBA is expanding, with new teams in San Francisco, Toronto, and Portland in the next two years. This will put even more heat on the league to agree with the player’s demands. Despite a record-breaking year in 2024, the WNBA remains unprofitable in its 28th season. Despite the complexities of closing the pay gap, the WNBA’s undeniable value proves the need for a more just compensation structure.
The addition of prominent collegiate athletes, coupled with the acquisition of new television contracts, has significantly improved the WNBA’s prospects for profitability. The WNBA is positioned to secure annual rights revenue between $180 million and $200 million in 2025, which would represent a tripling of current earnings.
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