Angel Reese is no stranger to making headlines, and her latest quip on social media is a reminder that she’s not only one of the brightest stars in the WNBA but also one of its most vocal critics. In a world where athletes keep it polished and PR-friendly, Reese is over here, basically saying, “Hold my Gatorade.”
Fresh off celebrating her new multi-year deal with Reebok, the Chicago Sky forward couldn’t resist throwing a little shade at the WNBA. Reese’s partnership with Reebok, which started back in her LSU days, now includes a signature shoe launching in 2026, because why not? And with endorsement deals from Reese’s (the candy, not herself), Beats by Dre, and more, she’s practically swimming in sponsorship dollars.
But despite her success, Reese took to X (formerly known as Twitter for the three people still using it) to make a not-so-subtle jab at her WNBA salary. “God is so good,” she tweeted before adding, “Looks like I can ‘afford’ my bills now.” Oh, the passive-aggressive shade!
In case you’re wondering, Reese’s rookie WNBA salary? A cool $74,000—before taxes, of course. That’s not even covering her rent in Chicago’s South Loop, where her chic loft costs a mind-boggling $8,000 a month. Apparently, playing pro ball and starring in ads for pretty much everything still won’t pay the bills.
Let’s break that down: Reese has to dish out nearly $100,000 a year in rent alone—more than her entire WNBA salary. Meanwhile, the league’s execs are probably sitting back in their cushy chairs, sipping expensive lattes, and thinking, “What’s the problem here?”
Reese made it clear during a recent livestream: “The WNBA don’t pay my bills at all.” And honestly, who could blame her for being salty when she’s basically running a side hustle of brand deals to keep the lights on? Meanwhile, she’s living “beyond her means,” which, in WNBA terms, means you can afford groceries but only if you skip breakfast.
Now, if you think Reese is just venting about her personal woes, think again. The WNBA might soon face a lockout as players push for a new collective bargaining agreement. Translation: They want to get paid what they’re worth. Players are demanding higher salaries, better working conditions, and benefits that extend beyond a free Gatorade after the game.
With the players’ union opting out of the 2020 agreement, the clock is ticking. If no new deal is struck by October 31, 2025, the league could face a lockout—and let’s be real, nobody wants to watch reruns of “90 Day Fiancé” instead of live basketball.
Reese, never one to shy away from a fight, has been vocal about giving players equity stakes in the league. And if her spicy social media comments are anything to go by, she’s ready to push for higher pay, too. While her WNBA salary doesn’t quite cover her bougie lifestyle, she’s also got merchandise sales and a new podcast, “Unapologetically Angel,” to cushion the blow. Plus, she’s already signed with Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3 women’s league set to kick off in January.
In true Angel Reese fashion, she’s playing chess while the WNBA execs are still figuring out how to play checkers. If anyone can turn a cheeky tweet into a full-blown revolution, it’s Reese. Buckle up, WNBA—Angel’s coming for your wallet.
